This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/695782400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Summary
The incumbent serves as a Contract Specialist in the Acquisition Division (AD), Office of Mission Support (OMS), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The Contract Specialist reports to a Supervisory Contract Specialist and serves as a member of an Operational team. The Contract Specialist is responsible for pre-award and post-award acquisition in support of the VBA mission. The Contract Specialist works closely and collaboratively with Program customers VBA wide.
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Overview
- Hiring complete
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Open & closing dates
12/20/2022 to 01/10/2023
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Salary
$94,373 - $122,683 per year
Salary shown is the basic pay WITHOUT locality pay. Once selections are made the locality pay WILL BE added to the salary based on the duty location.
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Pay scale & grade
GS 13
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Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
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Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)
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Remote job
Yes
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Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
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Travel Required
Not required
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Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
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Appointment type
Permanent
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Work schedule
Full-time
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Service
Competitive
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Promotion potential
None
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Job family (Series)
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Supervisory status
No
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Security clearance
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Drug test
No
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Position sensitivity and risk
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Trust determination process
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Announcement number
101-OMS-23-YP-11756123-BUE
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Control number
695782400
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This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This vacancy is open ONLY to employees VBA-Office of Mission Support employees.
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Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Remote: This is a remote position - Location negotiable after selection.
Position Description/PD#: Contract Specialist; 373601A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Required
Duties
Specific duties include:
- Provides guidance/training to customers in developing through packages.
- Reviews request for acquisition to ensure that each request is complete with adequate funding, description of supplies or services required to conduct an efficient and compliant acquisition.
- Resolves any problems prior to initiation of contractual action.
- Educates central office requestors of the contracting requirements, assisting in developing them into better customers of contracting services.
- Formulates the acquisition plan that will best satisfy the requirement and strives to accomplish new awards within VBA standard Procurement Administrative Lead Time (PALT) standards.
- Maintains accurate and timely logs of all work in progress and provide reports to customers and supervisor.
- Assists customer to conduct market research to identify contractors capable of meeting requirements with special emphasis on small and small disadvantaged businesses.
- Promotes competition and approves or recommend approval of non-competitive justifications when competition is impractical.
- Chooses contract type and ensures the solicitation is properly structured to define requirement and basis for selection.
- Leads evaluation team where applicable by providing guidance to subject matter experts to ensure that selection recommendations align with solicitation.
- Determines price reasonableness for all awards and contractor responsibility where applicable.
- When serving as the Contractor Officer, makes final source selection decision or makes recommendation with supporting rationale to the cognizant Contracting Officer.
- Masters all VA and federal electronic acquisition systems, including but not limited to SAM, eCMS, FPDS, and PPIRS/C PARS and ensures that all systems are properly used for all acquisitions over the micro purchase threshold.
Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Remote: This is a remote position - Location negotiable after selection.
Position Description/PD#: Contract Specialist; 373601A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Required
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Required to have at least FAC-C Level III Certification or to obtain such certification within one year of assuming the position.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 01/10/2023.
Certification: The incumbent is required to have at least a current Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level III or equivalent certification to qualify for this vacancy. OR you must show proof in your application that you can obtain a FAC-C Level III Certification within one year of assuming the position. You must submit proof in your application (i.e. Certificate, Transcripts, Verifying letter/reference) or you will be rated ineligible.
Time-in-grade: Applicants who are/were federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level. To support your claim of time in grade, you must submit your most recent appointment, promotion, or within grade increase SF-50 (not an award or general adjustment SF-50). Some applicants may have to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate their eligibility. See the required documents section for more information.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
GS-13 Grade Level:
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes:
(1) Experience in or directly related to acquisition pre- and post-award functions including price/cost analysis, negotiation and administration for services, materials and equipment associated with research and development.
(2) Candidate must have experience in announcing and soliciting bids and proposals and administering contracts to assure terms of contract are met.
(3) Applying Federal, departmental or agency, and local contract laws, regulations and procedures applicable to the acquisition and contract administration of extensive or unique equipment, services, construction.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). 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. The Office of Personnel Management's group coverage qualification standards associated individual occupational requirements (IOR), and individual qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found here.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). 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.
Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.
Physical Requirements: This position is primarily sedentary with some walking, standing, bending, and/or carrying lightweight items
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Certification: The incumbent is required to have at least a current Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level III or equivalent certification to qualify for this vacancy. OR you must show proof in your application that you can obtain a FAC-C Level III Certification within one year of assuming the position. You must submit proof in your application (i.e. Certificate, Transcripts, Verifying letter/reference) or you will be rated ineligible.
Time-in-grade: Applicants who are/were federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level. To support your claim of time in grade, you must submit your most recent appointment, promotion, or within grade increase SF-50 (not an award or general adjustment SF-50). Some applicants may have to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate their eligibility. See the required documents section for more information.
Basic Requirements for GS-13 and Above:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
GS-13 Grade Level:
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes:
(1) Experience in or directly related to acquisition pre- and post-award functions including price/cost analysis, negotiation and administration for services, materials and equipment associated with research and development.
(2) Candidate must have experience in announcing and soliciting bids and proposals and administering contracts to assure terms of contract are met.
(3) Applying Federal, departmental or agency, and local contract laws, regulations and procedures applicable to the acquisition and contract administration of extensive or unique equipment, services, construction.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). 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. The Office of Personnel Management's group coverage qualification standards associated individual occupational requirements (IOR), and individual qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found here.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). 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.
Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.
Physical Requirements: This position is primarily sedentary with some walking, standing, bending, and/or carrying lightweight items
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
A transcript must be submitted with your application.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited towards qualifications. Provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
All education claimed by applicants will be verified upon appointment. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit.
Additional information
VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants who do not fully address the specialized experience needed for the position (as described above in the job announcement) in their resume will not be referred for consideration.
After you have met the minimum qualifications, you will be rated on the following competencies based on your application for this position:
- PROBLEM SOLVING: Analyzes problems, weighs relevance and accuracy of information; evaluates alternatives and implements solutions.
- CUSTOMER SERVICE: Anticipates and meets the needs of customers. Delivers quality products and services; committed to improvement and offers guidance to others to contribute towards improvement.
- ORAL and WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: Oral and written are clear/convincing and organized for audience. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed; oral and written guidance to less experienced staff is accurate.
- FLEXIBILITY: Prioritizes work effectively and is able to assess task importance and urgency.
- INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Treats others with respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs of complex situations. Provides meaningful advice and mentorship to less experienced staff.
- TECHNIAL COMPETENCE: Applies principles, procedures, regulations, and policies related to acquisition expertise. Assists less experienced staff in interpreting policies, procedures and/or processes to help them meet mission requirements.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package to include the documents detailed below. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. Failure to submit the documents as specified may result in loss of consideration for this job announcement.
- Resume detailing specialized experience and competencies as they relate to this position.
- For each position in your resume, you must specify the start and end dates (month/year) and a description of duties. If the position was Federal, you should also indicate the grade level. Resumes containing a general summary of all positions held, not specifying start/end dates, and/or not including documentation supporting Federal grade level(s) are insufficient to determine basic qualifications.
- Your most recent Promotion or With-in Grade Increase SF-50. The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
- College Transcript
- Documentation to be considered under non-competitive eligibility (if applicable) such as a member-4 DD-214, civil service preference letter, or Schedule A letter. [if offering applicants to bypass TIG]
- CTAP documentation - RIF notice, SF-50 showing VA employee, and performance appraisal
- FAC-C certification
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
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.
How to Apply
Complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/10/2023 to receive consideration. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11756123.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
Agency contact information
Yvonda Price
- Address
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VBA Human Resources Center - Central Office
810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
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Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package to include the documents detailed below. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. Failure to submit the documents as specified may result in loss of consideration for this job announcement.
- Resume detailing specialized experience and competencies as they relate to this position.
- For each position in your resume, you must specify the start and end dates (month/year) and a description of duties. If the position was Federal, you should also indicate the grade level. Resumes containing a general summary of all positions held, not specifying start/end dates, and/or not including documentation supporting Federal grade level(s) are insufficient to determine basic qualifications.
- Your most recent Promotion or With-in Grade Increase SF-50. The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
- College Transcript
- Documentation to be considered under non-competitive eligibility (if applicable) such as a member-4 DD-214, civil service preference letter, or Schedule A letter. [if offering applicants to bypass TIG]
- CTAP documentation - RIF notice, SF-50 showing VA employee, and performance appraisal
- FAC-C certification
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
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.
Help
Learn more about this agency
How to Apply
Complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/10/2023 to receive consideration. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11756123.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
Agency contact information
Yvonda Price
- Address
-
VBA Human Resources Center - Central Office
810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Beginning of a dialog window for the agency announcing this job. It begins with a heading 2 called "Learn more about Field Operating Offices of the Office of the Secretary of the Army". Escape will cancel and close the window.
Learn more about
Veterans Benefits Administration
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?
Agency contact information
Yvonda Price
- Address
-
VBA Human Resources Center - Central Office
810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420
US