Consultant (Junior Contract Specialist)

Overview

Responsibilities

• Works closely with senior analysts, subject matter experts (Contracting Officer Representatives, Program Managers and program offices) in conducting both pre-and post-award contracting activities. Assists with development of acquisition packages/documents (Requests for Proposals, Statements of Work/Performance Work Statements, Independent Government Cost Estimates, Justification and Approvals, Source Selection Evaluation Plan, Market Research, etc.); review of these documents for quality, clarity, and adherence to applicable regulations (Federal Acquisition Regulation, Department regulations, etc.) and recommendation of revisions.
• Provides advice and recommendations for all elements in acquisition plans, including approaches, options, strategies, risks, contracting methods, competition) sources, cost estimates, milestone schedules, etc.
• Conducts research of available suppliers and compare the services and costs of obtaining support from the different providers.
• Independently develops written acquisition plans and other related documentation for review and signature by the responsible government contracting officer.
• Provides guidance to contracting staff on conducting market research to identify potential sources and contract vehicles.
• Prepares written documentation for market research. Supports program offices in documenting small business capability analysis.
• Works with evaluators and government contracting officer to identify pre-negotiation objectives and assist with discussions with offerors. Supports preparation of final contract award documents for signature by the contracting officer and Contracting Officer Representative designation letters.
• Develops and/or train contracting specialists in the performance of all pre-award contracting functions that require the use of fixed-price (primarily), cost-reimbursement, or a combination of contract methods and types to procure large, highly complex/high dollar projects, programs, or services where little or no contractual precedent exists.
• Reviews pre-solicitation procurement documents and works with technical teams to review contract type, terms, execution risk, and development/approval of Government cost estimates
• Assists government contract specialist/contracting officers by updating and maintaining official contract files.
• Prepares correspondence or documentation for signature, distribute those actions to the appropriate offices for action, track and provide the status to the contracting officer/ Contracting Officer Representative.
• Ensures appropriate funding and required waivers, certifications, approvals and compliance have been obtained for purchase requests.
• Assists the contracting officer with contract audit recommendations in a timely manner, while fully protecting the government’s interest.
• Prepares evaluation documents for the contracting officer from responses to solicitations, including price reasonableness, adequacy of competition, and the compliance with solicitations.
• Assists the contracting officer with price negotiation documents, to include, but not limited to, prices, terms, and conditions.
• Prepares for the contracting officer award documents, consistent with established award factors and technical board evaluations.
• Administering contracts by assuring compliance with the terms and conditions of contracts, including resolution of problems concerning the obligations of the parties.
• Prepare close-out documents to close contracts which encompass review of project officer's certification.

Qualifications

• Minimum education: Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, acquisition management, accounting, business administration, economics, or finance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Must be organized, detail-oriented, timely, and customer service oriented.
• Skills in managing and prioritizing multiple assignments with strict deadlines and ability to coordinate efforts among many offices.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written). Expertise in preparing/presenting information/data via oral briefing(s) and/or by written reports.

• Hands-on work as a contract specialist / contracting officer on federal government contracts, particularly in services and construction/facilities contracting. Preferred experience in:
• Pre-award contracting functions and artifact development supporting solicitations.
• Experience with awards, negotiations, and review of post-award contracting artifacts and deliverables.
• Experience with fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, or a combination of contracting methods.
• Experience conducting negotiations during the procurement process; experience performing post-award functions and price/cost analysis
• Experience in federal acquisition methods and techniques and understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulations and government procurement policies.
• Knowledge of the legislation, regulations, and methods used in contracting; and knowledge of business and industry practices, sources of supply, cost factors, and requirements characteristics required.