Summary This Contract Specialist open continuous public notice may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across NNSA as needed. Therefore, applicants must meet the qualifications at the time the applications are submitted. This public notice may or may not result in a referral or selection. Note: The salary range listed reflects base pay only. The actual salary will be based on the geographic location (to include locality pay) and pay band for which selected. Responsibilities Duties of a Contract Specialist will depend on the position, grade, and office making the selection. Complexity of duties increase with experience and grade level. All positions will contribute contracting expertise on assigned tasks, projects, and program management efforts related to NNSA programs, at varying levels. Typical duties include: Determining the contractual policy and procedural approach, including type of contract, fee application, required contractor qualifications and experience, solicitation, available funding, and approval and final authorization. Analyzing requirements for contractor selection and negotiation processes, and prepares actions for establishment of Source Evaluation Teams, Negotiation Teams or Boards. Preparing Request for Proposals and other required solicitation documents. Developing special terms and conditions for solicitation documents and contracts and provides guidance to NNSA staff in their use. Receiving contractor proposals and, in conjunction with the Source Evaluation Team/Board, evaluates contractor proposals on the basis of experience, capabilities, efficiency of operations, etc. Preparing Team/Board selection findings for submission to the selecting official. Conducting negotiations on complex, large-scale, long-term multi-million-dollar contracts. Developing contracts, modifications, MOUs, IAs, or other types of contractual arrangements. Preparing, as required, the termination of contracts for the convenience of the government or default by the contractor. Performing contract administration of one or more multi-billion dollar complex contracts and/or Management & Operating (M&O) contracts as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 17.6 and Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR) 970. The contracts administered may include complex short or long-term cost, incentive, re-determinable, flexibly priced, or firm fixed-price type contracts. Managing of the contractor performance evaluation (fee determination) process for the assigned M&O contract and the award fee determination process for other incentive contracts, if applicable (e.g., CPAF and CPIF). Serving as a business advisor to Field Office staff, providing contractual guidance, support, and training. Completing closeout activities of assigned contracts in accordance with regulatory requirements. Communicating professionally and appropriately with external and internal stakeholders such as: NNSA programs, Procuring Contracting Officers, Program Managers, Auditors, Inspector General representatives, and other federal entities , and Contractor senior leaders. Vacancies filled under this public notice may be filled at the NQ-02, NQ-03, or NQ-04 grade levels. There may or may not be promotion potential depending on the position and office making the selection. Requirements Conditions of Employment Subject to Random Drug Testing Must pass a pre-employment drug test. Favorable suitability determination required. Financial Disclosure is required. Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance. You must be a United States Citizen. This employer participates in the e-Verify program. Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements. Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification. More than one position may be filled from this vacancy announcement. If you are a current federal employee, appointed under the direct-hire authority, you will be given a new appointment. You will be required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period unless you meet the exceptions in 5 CFR, part 315.802. A valid Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification is equivalent to a FAC-C at the same certification level, provided the FAC-C education and continuous learning requirements have been met. Certification requirements may be viewed at Contracting (FAC-C) | FAI.GOV Qualifications IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS OPEN CONTINUOUS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: This is an open continuous vacancy announcement that will be used to fill vacancies as they occur. To receive consideration for vacancies, applicants must submit a complete application prior to the established cut-off date(s). The initial cut-off date will take place on November 1, 2023 to begin the initial applicant consideration. Applications received after the initial cut-off date will be considered upon receipt of the next cut-off date. NOTE: The period of eligibility for applications is throughout the announcement until the a closing date. Applicants will be referred periodically throughout the announcement period at any time a vacancy becomes available and selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period. The agency will issue a list of eligible applicants to hiring officials within the period of eligibility. Applicants may make changes to applications to ensure experience is current. Specialized Experience Requirements: The specialized experience listed are the minimum requirements for the series, each particular vacancy may have additional experience necessary to meet the applicable grade level. A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA pay band level or GS grade level in the Federal Service. NQ-02 (GS-9/11/12 equivalent): Applicant must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the NQ-01 (GS-07) grade level under the General Schedule (GS) or other pay systems. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: 1.) Performing detailed analysis of bid received to determine bid responsiveness and responsibility of the offer; 2.) Negotiating contract modifications and/or 3.) Preparing and issues solicitation documents. -OR- 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. -OR- A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. NQ-03 (GS-13/14 equivalent): Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the NQ-02 (GS-12) grade level under the General Schedule (GS) or other pay systems. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: Developing and executing acquisitions for a wide variety of products and services. NQ-04 (GS-15 equivalent): Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the NQ-03 (GS-14) grade level under the General Schedule (GS) or other pay systems. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: Directing the day-to-day management activities and providing leadership to an organization engaged in procurement and administration of complex, large scale, long-term multi-billion-dollar contracts. NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the NQ-03/GS-13 level and above. For additional reference, please refer to the OPM qualifications standard for GS-1102: General Schedule Qualification Standards-1100 Contracting Series-1102 (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/) "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education To qualify for the 1102 series at the NQ-2 / GS-9 through GS-12 level, the education requirement you must possess is: A. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; -OR- B. 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. Graduate Education: To qualify to an NQ-1102-02 position on the basis of graduate education, graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D. may be substituted for experience at the GS-9 equivalent. 3 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted for experience at the GS-11 equivalent. Basic Requirements for NQ-03/GS-13 and Above A. 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' 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- B. 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. C. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1,2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D. D. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision-making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. *If you are selected, official transcripts will be required. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please Note: If your foreign education has already been accepted by an accredited U.S. educational institution as part of a degree program with that institution, you do not need to provide an evaluation of foreign education but must submit a copy of the transcripts listing the degree from the U.S. accredited institution that accepted your foreign education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. Additional Information The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets Click HERE for more information. If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website Click HERE for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year. Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation. All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified applicant in accordance with Agency policy.. EEO Policy: Click HERE. Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Click HERE. Veterans Information: Click HERE. Telework: Click HERE. Selective Service Registration: Click HERE Information about the NNSA Demonstration project can be found by clicking HERE. This is an open continuous vacancy announcement that will be used to fill vacancies as they occur. To receive consideration for vacancies, applicants must submit a complete application prior to the established cut-off date(s).