Contract Specialist

Summary

This position is located at the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service, Phoenix Area Office, located in Phoenix, Arizona. The purpose of this position is to serve as a contract specialist responsible for pre-award and post-award functions including price/cost analysis, negotiation and administration for services, materials, and equipment associated with health administration, health research, regulatory compliance and/or production activities of one or more HHS organizations.

• Develops strategic plans in conjunction with program officials and Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives (COTRs) to define requirements, establish acquisition plans and to give advice and recommendations on data that should be included in the procurement request. Reviews the request for procurement and communicates with program personnel to assure all information is clearly set forth in the request.
• Performs cost/price analysis, including analysis of cost breakdowns to determine reasonableness and conformance to applicable regulations, directives and policies. Coordinates the establishment of the technical evaluation panel to review and score the technical proposals. Attends the technical evaluation meeting to monitor the process for adherence to established regulations and policies.
• Independently performs all contract administration functions. Maintains up-to-date status of deliverables, invoices, and other activities under the contract. Negotiates and prepares documents for contract modifications. Recommends the appropriate action when contract performance is deficient, including preparing documents and negotiation actions.
• Prepares close-out documents to close contracts which encompass review of project officer's certification, field and desk audit reports to resolve all findings, disposition of government property, and verification that the contractor's closing documents are complete and in agreement with the terms and conditions set forth in the contract.
  
  

**This position is being announced concurrently under Excepted Service Examining Plan/Merit Promotion Plan (ESEP/MPP) procedures. Please review vacancy announcement number IHS-24-PX-12390476-ESEP/MP; for eligibility requirements. NOTE: Applicants must apply separately for each announcement in order to be considered.**
Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must pass pre-employment examination.

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period

U.S. Citizenship is required

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.

Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Basic Requirement(s), Gs-1102

• Completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field.
• OR
• Completion of 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. (Note: Transcripts required for this option)
  
  

Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 5 through 12 will be considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. This includes positions at other agencies and promotions up through grade 12. However, employees must meet specialized experience requirements.

In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications and Selective Placement Factor stated below.

Minimum Qualifications, Gs-11

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples include: Responsible for pre-award through post award functions for a variety of health related, regulatory, or human services programs within the organization; provides guidance to technical personnel involved in the development of the statement of work or data requirements; performs cost/price analysis to determine reasonableness; plans and conducts negotiates on price, technical requirements, and terms/conditions of the contract; assembles and prepares all documentation necessary to support the negotiates and award of the contract.

OR;

Completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years (54 semester hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, such education must be in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management or LL.M., if related.

OR;

Combination of the specialized experience described in paragraph A and the education described in paragraph B. To determine if you qualify under this combination first divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond 2 years by 18. (Note: Only education in excess of the second year is creditable toward meeting the experience requirement when combining experience and education.) Finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: You must provide copies of your graduate transcripts)

Selective Placement Factor For the GS-11: The following certification has been deemed essential for this position and is a position requirement. You must provide evidence of meeting this requirement with your application documents to be considered qualified.

• Current Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level I Certificate.
• Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level II Certification
  
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-1102-12:

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples include: Reviews the request for procurement and communicates with program personnel to assure all information is clearly set forth in the request; prepares solicitation documents which incorporate required Federal Acquisition Regulations and HHS policies and provisions; plans and conducts negotiates on price, technical requirements, and terms/conditions of the contract; maintains up-to-date status of deliverables, invoices, and other activities under the contract; prepares final decisions within delegated authority on disputes and claims from contractor(s); debriefing unsuccessful bidders.

Selective Factor For the GS-12: The following selective factor has been deemed essential for this position and is a position requirement. You must provide evidence of meeting this requirement with your application documents to be considered qualified. To be considered qualified for this position, you must provide one of the following certificates with your application.

• Current Federal Acquisition Institute Acquisition Level II Certificate (FAC-C).
• Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level II Certification
  
  

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

This position is eligible for workplace flexibilities which may include remote work or telework options, and/or flexible work scheduling. These flexibilities may be requested in accordance with the HHS Workplace Flexibilities policy. https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/asa/ohr/hr-library/990-1/index.html

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

This position has promotion potential to the GS-12 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.

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Phoenix Area Indian Health Service

40 North Central Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85004

US