Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to provide business advise to the customer and perform preaward and postaward functions using a wide range of contracting methods and types to procure complex or specialized services, commodities, and/or construction for organization. Responsibilities Serve as a business advisor providing advise and guidance, ensuring all business aspects of the acquisition are considered, including risk and incentivization. Plans, develops and establishes the acquisition strategy for the overall program, functions as the lead negotiator throughout the process. Represents the organization with a variety of installation and functional area organizations. This position supports cradle to grave contracting requirements for the F-35 program. This includes the design, development, procurement, operation, and maintenance of F-35 aircraft, F135 engines, and associated equipment to support the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, international partner nations, and multiple Foreign Military Sales customers. A Contracting Officers warrant is not required for this position. Contract Specialists for the F-35 program are responsible for pre-award and post-award functions involving highly complex and specialized procurements of significant importance to U.S. and international customers. Specific duties may Include formulating acquisition strategies, analyzing cost and pricing data, leading negotiations with contractors, drafting contract documentation, and performing contract administration. Serves as a business advisor providing advice and guidance, ensuring all business aspects of the acquisition are considered, including risk and incentivization. Reviews requisition package for adequacy and compliance with administrative, regulatory and procedural requirements and consistency with current market practices and conditions. Plans, develops and establishes the acquisition strategy for the overall program, functions as the lead negotiator throughout the process. Establishes milestones for coordination through functional leadership and support organizations/agencies. Negotiates and prepares contract modifications and supporting documents for all contract actions including termination. Determines appropriate recommendations for unresolved or questionable problems and performs follow-up. Conducts training to improve acquisition practices, implement new regulatory requirements, explain policy changes, promulgate lessons learned and clarify procedures. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, DoD Instruction (DoDI) 5000.66, Defense Acquisition Workforce Education, Training, Experience, and Career Development. Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. Applicants must meet the basic requirements and Specialized experience as stated in this announcement. BASIC EDUCATION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate. NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT COPIES OF OFFICIAL COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS. OR A current member of the Armed Forces (not retired or separated) OR a current DOD employee that meets the following requirements: 1) served as a contracting officer with authority to award or administer in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) on or before 30 September 2000; 2) served in an 1102 position or as a Service member in a similar occupational specialty on or before September 30, 2000; OR, (3) is an enlisted member of the Contingency Contracting Force (CCF). This exemption only applies to CCF members in their current or future CCF positions. The baccalaureate degree exemption does not apply to current CCF members seeking new hire employment within DoD as an 1102. or (4) is described in subsection (e)(1)(B) of 10 USC 1724. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must meet the mandated bachelor's degree and at least 24 hours in business-related courses credentialing standards AND I have (or will have) at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-02, equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11) (or equivalent in an alternative pay system in the federal service). Specialized experience is experience in dealing with problems arising during the preaward or postaward phases of the procurement action; independently plan and carry out the work, selecting the approaches and techniques to be used; recommend or develop new guides or procedures when problems reveal that guidelines are lacking or inadequate; independently determine actions to be taken on assigned contracts; use judgment in interpreting guidelines, in adapting procurement procedures to specific situations, and in recommending solutions to problems encountered. NOTE: You must submit copies of your official transcripts. NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. Ideal Candidate - Has at least 3 years of experience in the Contracting career Field - Has experience working on large-dollar contract actions - Has experience working on a major weapons system program 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. Professional knowledge of a wide range of Federal contracting laws, regulations, policies, procedures, methods, techniques, and contract types applicable to preaward and postaward actions for a variety of complex contracts for unique services, commodities, and/or construction. 2. Knowledge of the business environment (e.g. economic trends, awareness of commercial business practices, standards, mergers, and acquisitions, etc.) in order to recognize potential programmatic/contractual impacts, and knowledge of the methods and techniques of fact-finding/market research. 3. Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools used to assist in risk identification, assessment, and mitigation including assessing the probability and consequences of potential problems. 4. Knowledge of contract negotiation, administration, and termination principles, policies, procedures, and technical requirements; and knowledge of price and cost analysis sufficient to review proposals against previous history, actual and estimated expenditures, and established rates to determine price reasonableness or to determine a negotiation position. 5. Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and make recommendations; makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions applying precedents found in government contracting case law to specific contracting situations to insure that legally binding contracting officer decisions are consistent, justifiable, and will be upheld at appellate courts or boards; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals. 6. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy. 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 ARE YOU USING YOUR 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. Additional Information This job announcement will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.