5-7 years of experience in federal contracting or procurement activities
Strong knowledge of the FAR and federal procurement processes
Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
Proficient in contract writing systems and Microsoft Office Suite
Ability to handle sensitive procurement information with integrity
Responsibilities
Assist government personnel with acquisition planning and documentation
Conduct market research to support acquisition strategies
Prepare draft solicitation packages and independent cost estimates
Provide administrative support for evaluation and source selection activities
Maintain electronic contract files and ensure compliance with standards
Support post-award administration and contract modifications
Benefits
Remote work flexibility
Opportunity to support federal agencies
Engagement in diverse procurement activities
Professional development opportunities
Collaborative work environment with government personnel
Full Job Description
Opportunity Details
Full Time Senior Contract Specialist
Alexandria, VA
Position: Senior Contract Specialist
Location: Alexandria VA -- REMOTE
Clearance: None Required
Position Summary
The Contract Specialist (contractor) provides acquisition and procurement support services to federal agencies in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies. Operating as a contractor, this role assists government personnel throughout the full contract lifecycle-from pre-award planning through post-award administration-while ensuring transparency, compliance, and mission alignment. The Contract Specialist does not perform inherently governmental functions but supports government decision-making by preparing documentation, conducting analyses, and offering informed recommendations.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Acquisition Planning and Pre-Award
Assist Government personnel with acquisition planning activities, including developing procurement timelines, collecting requirements documentation, and drafting acquisition planning documents under Government direction.
Conduct and document market research (e.g., sources sought inputs, market scans, past contract reviews, and vendor capability summaries) to support acquisition planning.
Support development of solicitation packages by preparing draft RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, amendments, instructions to offerors, evaluation criteria language, and supporting templates for review and approval.
Support high-volume, low-dollar procurement actions (including simplified acquisitions) by preparing draft documentation, checklists, and file documents consistent with office direction and procedures.
Assist with preparation of independent cost estimate support documentation (e.g., data collection, analysis inputs, and draft narratives) and provide cost/price analysis support materials.
Support acquisition approaches using the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency supplements, and internal policies.
R&D and Complex Services Support
Support acquisitions for research, scientific, and technical requirements (e.g., research support services, studies/analyses, data collection, and technical support) by coordinating technical inputs and preparing draft acquisition documentation for review.
Support contract types commonly used for R&D and technical services, including cost-reimbursement (e.g., CPFF/CPAF), time-and-materials (T&M), labor-hour (LH), firm-fixed-price (FFP), and IDIQ/task order environments by preparing draft documentation.
Evaluation and Source Selection Administration
Provide administrative and analytical support to evaluation activities in accordance with procurement integrity requirements (e.g., organizing proposal materials, tracking evaluator assignments, compiling evaluator comments, and preparing draft evaluation documentation for review).
Support compliance checks as directed.
Assist with preparation of negotiation support documentation (e.g., issue logs, clarifications/questions list, and draft records of communication) for Government use.
Contractor personnel will not make source selection decisions, assign proposal ratings, determine responsibility, or make award recommendations.
Award Documentation
Prepare draft contract award documentation in accordance with the FAR, agency supplements, and internal policies.
Coordinate with legal, finance, and program offices to support the government in finalizing contract terms and conditions.
Ensure all award documentation is complete, accurate, and ready for government review.
Post-Award and Contract Administration Support
Support post-award administration by tracking deliverables, periods of performance, funding status, and reporting requirements; provide status updates and supporting documentation to the COR or assigned Government official.
Prepare draft contract modification packages for review, including incremental funding documentation, option exercise packages, administrative changes, performance period adjustments, and closeout packages.
Support tracking of ceilings and not-to-exceed (NTE) amounts for T&M/LH efforts and compile burn-rate and funding data for review.
Systems, Reporting, and File Management
Maintain electronic contract files and documentation in alignment with office standards, including version control, naming conventions, and audit-ready organization.
Prepare supporting documentation for procurement system data entry, reconciliation, and reporting (e.g., FPDS data validation support).
Support internal and external data calls, audits, and reviews by compiling, validating, and organizing acquisition documentation and system reports.
Required Qualifications
Minimum of 5-7 years of experience supporting federal contracting, procurement, or acquisition activities.
Demonstrated knowledge of the FAR, agency supplements, and federal procurement processes.
Strong analytical, organizational, and written/oral communication skills.
Proficiency with contract writing systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to handle sensitive procurement information and comply with procurement integrity and nondisclosure requirements.
Experience supporting cost-reimbursement contracting and service environments requiring labor category management, ceiling/NTE tracking, and incremental funding documentation support.
Familiarity supporting orders placed against GWACs and Schedule vehicles (e.g., GSA MAS, NASA SEWP, and other governmentwide solutions).
Experience supporting FPDS documentation/data quality activities and procurement system reconciliations.
Familiarity with invoice/payment workflow systems (e.g., IPP) and assisting with invoice routing/status inquiries.
Education and Certifications
Industry certifications and training are a plus (e.g., NCMA CFCM/CPCM, DAU coursework, or comparable acquisition training).
Additional Requirements
Ability to obtain and maintain any required Government suitability/background investigation and system access for the assigned environment.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced federal acquisition environment.
Inherently Governmental
All decisions, determinations, approvals, negotiations on behalf of the Government, contract awards, contract execution/signature, and direction to contractors remain the responsibility of authorized Government officials.
Contractor personnel may prepare drafts and provide administrative, analytical, and coordination support; however, contractor personnel will not act as Contracting Officers, make binding commitments, or represent that they have Government authority.
