Summary

This position is for a Contract Specialist/Senior Contract Specialist in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). In this role, the incumbent will be responsible for providing the full range of contracting support to assigned FHFA program office(s).

Duties

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Office of the Chief Financial Officer

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) provides leadership and oversight of the Agency's budgeting, financial management, strategic planning, contracting, internal controls, and enterprise risk management functions. The OCFO ensures fiscal integrity, promotes effective resource allocation, strengthens risk and performance oversight, and supports data-driven informed decision-making to advance the Agency's mission and strategic goals.

Position Overview

The Contract Specialist/Senior Contract Specialist will be responsible for assisting program office(s) in defining their acquisition needs; identifying sources for goods and services; determining the most appropriate method of procurement; negotiating the terms and conditions of complex contracts; and implementing all acquisition policies and procedures.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

The Contract Specialist/Senior Contract Specialist duties listed below are at the EL-13 grade level. Depending on the grade level selected, the incumbent will perform the following duties with varying levels of supervision and difficulty:

• Serve as contracting officer and business advisor in contracting for one or more FHFA program offices, with unlimited signatory authority over contracts with large funding levels and involve highly visible, agency-wide strategic programs.
• Perform work that includes the full range of contract specializations such as negotiation, cost and price analysis, and administration; and the entire range of contracting functions; i.e. award, pre-award, and post-award.
• Plan and develop the acquisition strategy for the assigned program office's acquisition program.
• Manage the contract portfolio for assigned program office(s); determine the types of contracts and contract vehicle to be used and prepare all supporting acquisition-related documents; and monitor contract performance.
• Serve as the principal contracting advisor on the team; provide acquisition support to team members; coordinate with General Counsel and other offices during the acquisition process; and appoint the Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs).
• Direct contract administration actions required for the acquisition program, including the issuance of contract modifications, exercise of options, investigation and resolution of contractor delays, contractor past performance evaluation, disposition of claims, terminations, and similar matters.
• Obtain appropriate audit and technical data; plan the negotiation strategy with the FHFA program office; and lead the negotiations with contractors to develop contract price, terms, and conditions.
• Apply appropriate methodologies and is responsible for such actions as carrying out assignments; advising FHFA staff; and implementing policy and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure contracts meet the requirements of relevant legal contracting provisions.
• Support outreach to qualified owned businesses during the solicitation process.
• Participate in providing information regarding FHFA's compliance with these regulations as requested.
• Maintain accurate obligation data in the procurement system, and participate in audits conducted by the Bureau of Fiscal Services, FHFA OIG, GAO, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles) and those eligible for other hiring authorities.
• An SF-50 is required with the exception of current FHFA employees. Please include one showing your tenure and competitive status. You must provide an SF-50 that indicates your competitive eligibility. You will not be considered without this.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
• Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
• This is NOT a remote position; you MUST live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.
• If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
• This position is subject to initial Financial Disclosure and subsequent annual filing requirements.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain FAC-C Level III certification, as it is a required duty of the position.

Qualifications

You may qualify for your desired series and grade level if you meet the following qualification requirements:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS (For the EL/GS-05 through the EL/GS-12):

To be eligible for the 1102 series (Contracting Series), you must meet one of the following requirements:

A. Education: A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field.

-OR-

B. Supplementary Education: 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.

-OR-

C. Exception: Applicants who have held a 1102 series position in the federal government equivalent to the EL/GS-05 up through the EL/GS-12 as of January 1, 2000 (Supporting SF-50 or equivalent required with application. Please note that those who meet this exception are still required to satisfy the minimum qualification requirements for the EL/GS-11 or EL/GS-12 grade levels).

BASIC REQUIREMENTS (For the EL/GS-13 or above):

To be eligible for the 1102 series (Contracting Series), you must meet option "A", as well as one of the other following requirements:

A. Training: 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 of 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-

A. Education: A 4-year course of study leading to 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.

-OR-

B. Exception: Applicants who have held an EL/GS-1102-13 or equivalent position since January 1, 2000. (Supporting SF-50 or equivalent required with application. Please note that those who meet this exception are still required to satisfy the minimum qualification requirements for the EL/GS-13 grade level).

In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above, applicants must also meet the following minimum qualifications for their desired grade level:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualification EL-11: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below.

*If you choose options "B" or "C", you must provide transcripts with your application*

A. Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-11 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-09 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with the statements described below.

Examples of specialized experience include:

• Assisting in the planning, negotiation, and execution of long-term pre-award and/or post-award procurement actions.
• Applying procurement regulations and procedures the procurement of supplies, services, or equipment.
• Providing technical assistance to staff and management.

-OR-

B. Education: Completion of three (3) academic years of higher graduate-level education, or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited college of university directly related to the work of the position (i.e. accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management).

-OR-

C. Combination of education and experience as described above in options "A" and "B". Note: Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education more than the amount required for the next lower grade level. Two academic years of graduate education is the number of credits hours determined to represent two academic years of full-time study (i.e., 36 semester hours (or 54 quarter hours).

Minimum Qualification EL-12: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below.

Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-12 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-11 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with all the statements described below.

Examples of specialized experience include:

• Planning, coordinating, negotiating, and assuring completion of approvals for long term pre-award and/or post-award procurement actions.
• Applying procurement regulations and a variety of contracting procedures for pre-award or post-award phases, such as in the procurement of supplies, services, or equipment.
• Providing technical assistance to staff and management.
• Providing guidance, both orally and in writing, to assist in the development, negotiation, and formulation of contracting and procurement documents.

Minimum Qualification EL-13: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below.

Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-13 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-12 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with all the statements described below.

Examples of specialized experience include:

• Planning, coordinating, negotiating, and assuring completion of approvals for complex (wage/hour) pre-award and/or post-award procurement actions.
• Serving as primary contracting point of contact for staff and management in developing contracting strategies for complex contracts.
• Applying procurement regulations and a variety of contracting procedures for pre-award or post-award phases, such as in the procurement of complex or high-value contracts.
• Leading the development, negotiation, and formulation of contracting and procurement documents.

**Failure to provide your transcripts, when required, for any of the options above will remove you from the hiring process**

Time-In-Grade: Current or former Federal government employees who have held an EL/GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time-in-grade requirement.

• To be eligible for the EL-11 position, applicants must have served 52 weeks as an EL/GS-09 or higher in the Federal Service.
• To be eligible for the EL-12 position, applicants must have served 52 weeks as an EL/GS-11 or higher in the Federal Service.
• To be eligible for the EL-13 position, applicants must have served 52 weeks as an EL/GS-12 or higher in the Federal Service.

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

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs an