Contract Specialist

Duties

If selected for this position, you will serve as the Contracting Specialist for the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Central District of California. Serves as a warranted Contracting Officer responsible for planning, negotiating, awarding, administering, modifying, and closing out contracts and other acquisition actions for supplies and services required to support agency programs and operations. Exercises delegated contracting authority within the specified limations and serves as the Government's authorized representative for entering into, administering, and terminating contracts and making related determinations and findings. Exercises independent business judgment and ensures acquisition actions comply with applicable federal statues, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency acquisition regulations, policies, procedures, and fiscal requirements.

Major Duties and Responsibilities-

Reviews procurement requests and works with management and colleagues to define acquisition requirements and develop appropriate acquisition strategies.
Conducts and documents market research to determine commercial availability, potential sources, competition opportunities, socioeconomic considerations, and appropriate acquisition methods.
Reviews statements of work, independent government cost estimates, funding documents, and other acquisition documentation for adequacy and compliance.
Determines appropriate procurement methods, contract types, competition strategies, source-selection approaches, evaluation criteria, and solicitation provisions and clauses.
Provides acquisition advice to senior leadersip and stakeholders regarding procurement lead times, competition requirements, contract vehicles, small-business considerations, contract types, acquisition risks, and alternative procurement strategies.
Develops and issues solicitations, requests for quotations, requests for proposals, amendments, and other acquisition documents.
Conducts pre-solicitation and pre-proposal conferences when appropriate and responds to questions from prospective contractors.
Evaluates quotations, bids, and proposals and coordinates technical evaluations with internal customers and subject matter experts.
Performs price and cost analysis to determine price reasonableness and evaluates proposed costs and other pricing factors as applicable.
Establishes negotiation objectives and conducts negotiations with contractors concerning price, terms and conditions, delivery requirements, and other contractual matters.
Documents source-selection and award decisions in accordance with applicable acquisition requirements.
Determines contractor responsibility and verifies that prospective contractors meet applicalb eligibility requirements.
Makes contract awards and signs contractual instruments within the limits of delegated contracting authority.
Ensures sufficient funds are available and that all legal, regulatory, competition, socioeconomic, and administrative requirements have been satisfied before obligating the Government.
Documents the contract file to establish the basis for acquisition decisions and demonstrate compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Administers contracts after award and ensures contractor compliance with terms and conditions.
Issues contract modifications, exercises options, processes funding actions, addresses changes in requirements, and makes other contractual decisions within delegated authority.
Coordinates with Contracting Officer's Representatives (CORs), legal counsel, financial personnel, property personnel, security officials, and other stakeholders regarding contractor performance.
Evaluates contractor requests regarding claims, performance issues, delays, suitability of personnel, and other matters affecting contract performance.
Takes appropriate action when contractor performance does not meet contract requirements.
Ensures that only authorized Government officials direct contractors or make commitments that may affect contract cost, schedule, scope, or contractual obligations.
Ensures completed contracts are properly closed out in accordance with applicable regulations and agency procedures.
Verifies completion of contract performance, final acceptance, final payment, disposition of Government property, resolution of outstanding contractual issues, and completion of required administrative actions.
Maintains complete and accurate official contract files and acquisition records.
Performs other duties as assigned; especially administrtative services related duties related to logistics, space and facilities management, accountable property, mail, records, government vehicles, etc..
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Requirements

Conditions of employment
You must be a U.S. Citizen or National
Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable
If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications
To be qualified at the GS-11, and/or GS-12, you must possess one of the following Basic Requirements: A 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree with a major in any field.