Supervisory Contract Specialist

Job Description

Job Title: Supervisory Contract Specialist Agency: Agency For International Development Sub Agency: M/OAA Job Announcement Number: 11-0282-DWH

SALARY RANGE: $105,211.00 - $136,771.00 /year OPEN PERIOD: Thursday, July 07, 2011 to Thursday, July 14, 2011 SERIES & GRADE: GS-1102-14/14 POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time Permanent - No time limit PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 14 DUTY LOCATIONS: 1 vacancy - Washington, DC WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: Agency Employees JOB SUMMARY:
WHO ARE WE?
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has a long history of extending a helping hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster or striving to live in a free and democratic country. It is this caring that stands as a hallmark of the United States around the world - and shows the world our true character as a nation.

WHAT ARE WE?
USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. With headquarters in Washington, DC, USAID fosters transformational development around the world. Our work supports economic growth and trade; agriculture and the environment; education and training; democracy and governance; global health; global partnerships and humanitarian assistance. We operate in four regions of the world: Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia and the Near East; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Europe and Eurasia. USAID employs individuals in the Civil Service and Foreign Service, as well as through Personal Service Contracts for service in Washington, DC and overseas.

WHERE ARE WE?
USAID’s headquarters is centrally located in downtown Washington, DC, at the prestigious Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. We are located right on the Federal Triangle Metro (Blue and Orange Lines). The office is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, Smithsonian Institution museums and Washington Monument. There is also a physical fitness facility and food court on site.


Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for US Agency for International Development applicants. Even if you have already developed a resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO APPLY, please click on http://www.avuecentral.com/vacancy.html?ref=PSSDX.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• See Other Information.

Back to top Duties Additional Duty Location Info: 1 vacancy - Washington, DC

DUTIES:

Supervises a group of employees performing work up to the GS-13 level. Provides administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit. Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Carries out Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and program activities. Plans, directs and monitors the solicitation, evaluation, negotiation, award, administration and termination of USAID direct contracts and interagency agreements for the procurement of services and equipment. Assures that all facets including regulatory and legal requirements of the process are considered and complied with. Reviews the completed procurement package for technical sufficiency and accuracy prior to the execution of the contract. Coordinates the review and analysis of findings and recommendations in pre-award surveys and audit reports. Performs contract administration activities for significant, highly specialized procurements which may include functions such as incremental funding, redirection of effort, coordination of time extension, incorporation of change orders, issuance of stop work orders, approval of progress payments and final payment to the contractor. Independently reviews contractors’ performance through site visits, correspondence, and telephone conversation for completion of applicable contract clauses, e.g., small business, patent rights, labor laws, and progress reports. Recommends issuing cure or show cause notices when the contractor is not in compliance. Conduct contractor reviews to evaluate performance.

Negotiates contracts for a significant program, or for major procurements that include several types of contracting instruments. Contract methods and types used to procure large, highly complex, and significant equipment systems, programs, services, or construction where little or no contractual precedent exists. Plans the negotiation strategy, coordinates strategy with the negotiation team, and conducts the negotiations with contractors, grantees to develop contract/grant prices and terms. Prepares the agreements and recommends award. Serves as Contract Specialist responsible for procurements that contain a number of different processes or elements resulting in extensive subcontracting. Performs procurement planning. Develops new or innovative acquisition plans, source selection plans, and contract terms, conditions, or financial arrangements that serve as models for future major system acquisitions. Develops procurement objectives in terms of competition and price range, and constructs the contractual vehicle including use of pricing arrangement, subcontracting policy, set-aside policies, and similar considerations. Prepares current acquisition plans, appropriate milestone charts, and related scheduled. Serves as advisor to program officials in procurement planning.

Serves as a lead negotiator for contract modifications for programs involving several interrelated contracts, and is cognizant of the fact that changes to one contract thus affects other contracts. Ensures complete review prior to modification decisions and to account for uncertainties or problems such as production scheduling, which arise during the performance of the contract. Educate and mentor junior level specialists in performing contract monitoring practices. Provide interpretations of USAID contract provisions for customer activities and/or industry personnel. Negotiate contract types, overhead rates, direct mail costs, terms and conditions, life cycle, payments, incentive formulas, etc. Ensures agreements are in compliance with cost accounting standards and USAID requirements. Responsible for establishing indirect cost rates of all USAID financed contracts, grants and other agreements. Negotiates and issues advance understandings with Agency contractors and grantees on: accounting systems, selected items of cost, procurement system policies and practices, practices pertaining to the Federal Travel Regulations, and personnel systems policies and procedures. Assures contractor and grantee compliance with the Cost Accounting Standards and other applicable laws and regulations. Serves as the Agency expert resource in the resolution of all audit findings and recommendations pertaining to indirect costs. Negotiates forward-pricing rate agreements after analyzing elements such as the various expenses pools, contractor’s’ business volume forecast, economic conditions, and business trends.

Back to top Qualifications and Evaluations QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Ability to supervise.

Knowledge of federal contracting laws, regulations, principles, policies, and procedures.

Ability to provide advice and assistance on contracting/procurement issues and activities.

Ability to plan and execute work.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

MINIMUM FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

A. Successful completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-14 or higher level contracting positions, including at least four (4) years of experience in contracting or related positions. At least one (1) year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to a GS-13, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position.

AND

B. Successful completion of a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with a major in any field, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester/36 quarter hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

OR

C. EXCEPTION: Applicants for GS-1102-14 positions will be qualified if they have held a GS-1102-14 position since January 1, 2000.

OR

D. WAIVER: Requirements of paragraphs A and B above may be waived if the agency’s 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.

See Other Information for further requirements. HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED: You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience and training you report relative to this position which shows that you possess the knowledges, skills and abilities required. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered.

Back to top Benefits and Other Info BENEFITS: See Other Information. OTHER INFORMATION: USAID is listed as one of the top ten best places to work in the federal Government by the Office of Personnel Management’s survey.


WHERE ARE WE?
USAIDs headquarters is centrally located in downtown Washington, DC, at the prestigious Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. We are located right on the Federal Triangle Metro (Blue and Orange Lines). The office is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, Smithsonian Institution museums and Washington Monument.

AGENCY STATUS EMPLOYEES WHO PREVIOUSLY APPLIED UNDER VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER 11-0172-KD NEED TO REAPPLY UNDER THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.

USAID is creating a workplace environment where every employee is valued and accepted, where management practices are inclusive rather than exclusive, and where differences are not only accepted but utilized to strengthen Agency performance.

Applicants must meet all of the specialized qualification requirements in order to receive consideration for this position. Demonstration of work supporting the specialized qualifications MUST be documented and reflected in your work history within the body of your profile or resume in order to receive consideration.

This vacancy announcement maybe used to fill more than one vacancy.

These are Testing Designated Positions (TDPs) under the Agency’s approved Drug-Free Work Place Program. All applicants selected for this position will be subject to random drug testing once they begin working for the Agency.

Bargaining Unit Status: Not eligible.

Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: Status applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade.

Applicants must submit a complete online application by the closing date of this announcement. If you are unable to apply online, you may contact the employing office for alternate application procedures. Please call Avue Direct Services at 253-573-1877, extension 209, or email at JoeAvue@avuetech.com.

All applicants are encouraged to apply on-line. For those who are unable to complete the on-line application process, an Applicant Questionnaire package is available. A paper application requires the submission of an Applicant Questionnaire form that must be completed and submitted by the closing date of the announcement. This will allow your responses to be scanned into the system for automated rating and ranking.

Applicants submitting proof documents can electronically attach them, or scan and attach them, to the employment application. If this is not possible, copies of documents can be faxed to (253) 573-9869, or mailed to the following address: USAID, c/o Avue Technologies Corporation, ATTN: Direct Services, 1145 Broadway Plaza, Suite 800, Tacoma, WA 98402. All faxed or mailed proof documents must be submitted prior to the closing date of the announcement and must be identified with applicant’s name and vacancy announcement number.

If you are a current career or career-conditional Federal employee or former Federal employee who has reinstatement eligibility or are an interchange agreement eligible, you must submit a copy of your latest SF-50, “Notification of Personnel Action,” and/or a copy of the SF-50 that reflects career or career-conditional tenure, or you will not be considered under the merit promotion process. Also, you should submit your most recent performance rating.

All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical disabilities, membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factors.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Applicants chosen for this position must serve a one-year probationary period if he/she has not previously been a supervisor or manager.

BASIS OF RATING: Qualified applicants receive a score of 70 to 100 before veteran’s preference points are applied (if applicable). You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience, and training you report relative to this position that show the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed on this vacancy announcement. USAID must be able to conduct reference checks as part of its assessment process. Applicants who do not permit reference checks from previous employers may be disqualified.

IMPORTANT: If you are found to have rated your self assessment higher than the information in your on-line application, supporting documentation narratives, and/or any other relevant part of your application package; including attachments, a score will manually be determined that reflects your documented experience. This may result in a lowered score and may also eliminate you from the best qualified list.

Back to top How To Apply HOW TO APPLY: Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for US Agency for International Development applicants. Even if you have already developed a resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO APPLY, please click on http://www.avuecentral.com/vacancy.html?ref=PSSDX.

If you are unable to apply online, you may call AVUE at 253-573-1877, ext 209 or email at joeavue@avuetech.gov. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Documents That May Be Required for Verification Of Eligibility:
* Proof of United States Citizenship (birth certificate or other acceptable documentation).
* Proof of military service (DD214s or other equivalent documents).
* Proof of government service providing reinstatement eligibility Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 or other equivalent document
* SF15, Application for 10-Point Veteran’s Preference and appropriate documentation (for 10-point compensable or non-compensable disability preference, Purple Heart, disability pension, or preference based on service of spouse or child).
* Proof of eligibility for priority placement consideration under Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP); i.e., copy of appropriate documentation such as RIF separation notice, or other notice of eligibility.
* Proof of eligibility for special appointment authorities for people with disabilities. Proof of disability from military service (i.e., letter from
Veterans Administration or a branch of the armed forces indicating disability and the amount [%] of the disability, or certification from a State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency or Veterans Administration).
* Proof of government service meeting time-in-grade requirements.
* Copy of college transcript if education was used to qualify you for the position. AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Client Care Team
Phone: 202-712-0460
Fax: 253-573-9869
Email: csprecruitment@usaid.gov Agency Information:
United States Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
RRB/ITC
Washington, Dist of Columbia 20523
US
Fax: 253-573-9869

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT: You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience and training you report relative to this position which shows that you possess the knowledges, skills and abilities required. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered.