Contracting Specialist

Summary

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Duties

• ****Duties and responsibilities vary and may increase according to grade level****
• Review requisition package for adequacy, consistency, and compliance with administrative, regulatory, and procedural requirements.
• Develop solicitations and evaluate responses. Compile complete bidders' list from qualified applications, knowledge of suppliers, contacts with trade associations, Small Business Administration, or other sources.
• Prepare and issue solicitation documents selecting appropriate clauses, ensuring clear and complete specifications, including packing and delivery requirements or other routine supplemental stipulation.
• Use primarily firm fixed-price, time and materials, indefinite delivery, or similar contracts when historical and precedent data are available.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade accordance with Department of Defense 1102 Qualification requirements: For the GS-11 grade level: I have successfully completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees -AND- I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level. Specialized experience is experience that may have been gained while providing business advice to customers and performing all pre-award/post-award functions, using a wide range of contracting methods and types to procure complex and/or diversified commodities, services and/or construction. OR Ph.D (or equivalent doctoral degree) or three academic years of progressively higher level graduate education. NOTE: For position identified with Contracting Officer duties, applicant must have at least two years of specialized experience in contracting positions, of which one year must have been equivalent to the next lower grade or pay band. For the GS-12 grade level: I have successfully completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees -AND- I have at least two years of specialized experience in contracting positions, of which one year is equivalent to the GS-11 level or equivalent pay band. Specialized experience is experience that may have been gained while providing business advice to customers and performing all pre-award/post-award functions, using a wide range of contracting methods and types to procure complex and/or diversified commodities, services and/or construction. For the GS-13 grade level: I have successfully completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees -AND- I have at least two years of specialized experience in contracting positions, of which one year is equivalent to the GS-12 level or equivalent pay band. Specialized experience is experience that may have been gained while providing business advice to customers and performing all pre-award/post-award functions, using a wide range of contracting methods and types to procure complex and/or diversified commodities, services and/or construction. For the GS-14 grade level: I have successfully completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees -AND- I have at least two years of specialized experience in contracting positions, of which one year is equivalent to the GS-13 level or equivalent pay band. Specialized experience is experience that may have been gained while providing business advice to customers and performing all pre-award/post-award functions, using a wide range of contracting methods and types to procure complex and/or diversified commodities, services and/or construction. For the GS-15 grade level: I have successfully completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees -AND- I have at least two years of specialized experience in contracting positions, of which one year is equivalent to the GS-14 level or equivalent pay band. Specialized experience is experience that may have been gained while providing business advice to customers and performing all pre-award/post-award functions, using a wide range of contracting methods and types to procure complex and/or diversified commodities, services and/or construction. To view occupational requirements for this position, refer to the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of 10 United States Code (USC) 1724, 10 USC 1723 and 10 USC 1732 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of contracting principles, policies and procedures. 2. Knowledge of business practices and market conditions applicable. 3. Skill in applying contract price/cost analysis techniques to a variety of pre-award and/or post-award procurement actions. 4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

How to apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/21/2026. To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12857563 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.