Summary Contract Specialists plan and manage acquisitions to procure a variety of products and services for NGA. They interact with customers to develop and implement an acquisition strategy, solicit and evaluate proposals, and negotiate and award contracts. They also administer contracts, including monitoring contractor performance, preparing modifications, resolving problems, and terminating and closing Responsibilities ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) serves as the world leader in providing timely, relevant, accurate and actionable geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). NGA's civilian, military and contract personnel evaluate imagery, maps, charts, multiple layers of foundation data - such as terrain, elevation and gravity - and the full spectrum of visible and invisible light in order to help users visualize what is happening at a particular place and time. Our intelligence officers go beyond describing "what, where and when" to revealing "how and why" our work enables decision advantage for our policymakers, warfighters, intelligence professionals and first responders. NGA uses a flexible, high mobility career model. Individuals are hired for their overall skills within a specialty such as Contract Specialist, and then placed in various positions throughout the agency once they complete the clearance process. Although currently advertised as a non-supervisory, Permanent, telework-ineligible job posting with Not required travel, it is unknown which specific positions will be available after applicants complete the selection and clearance process. Because of this, aspects of the job such as travel, supervisory, telework, etc. may change, depending on specific positions available at that time. It is also possible that applicants could be hired into a position with specific aspects and then change positions after serving for a period of time in that assignment. Applicants who have completed the clearance process receive final documentation about the nature of the specific position before they make the final commitment to join NGA. Duties: 1. Conduct market research, and lead development and implementation of acquisition plans/strategies for complex requirements, coordinating with the program office to clarify issues; Independently prepare complex requests for proposals with minimal supervision; Mentor and coach junior specialists on the preceding 2. Review proposals independently and draft complex contractual documents with minimal supervision; Conduct research regarding contract type and clauses and coordinate with the program office and OGC regarding proposal assumptions and inclusion of special contract requirements; Demonstrate an understanding of the government's needs, the negotiated contract terms, and how the contract will be administered; Mentor and coach junior specialists on the preceding 3. Administer multiple complex contracts independently, including monitoring contractor performance in collaboration with contracting officer representatives; Prepare complex modifications, negotiate contract changes, and resolve routine and non-routine problems; Terminate and close out contracts; Mentor and coach junior specialists on the preceding. Additional Application Requirement: You may be asked to complete one or more assessments in addition to the application you submit on this website as part of your application to NGA. These assessments may include but are not limited to: 1) Online questionnaires or assessments that require you to describe your job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, or other characteristics that are aligned with the mandatory and desirable qualifications of this job posting. The information you provide in the application you submit must support the response you provide to this questionnaire. You will receive an email to describe any additional assessments required. Please monitor your emails and complete any required assessments as soon as possible. This position may be eligible for a RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE: selected candidates may be offered an incentive as part of the offer of employment. To receive the incentive, selected candidates must be eligible under 5 CFR Part 575, Subpart A, upon issuance of the Final Offer Letter. Changes in federal employment status prior to issuance of the Final Offer Letter may affect eligibility. To receive the incentive, selected candidates will be required to sign a service agreement to stay within the position at NGA for the agreed upon time. If the service agreement is terminated before its completion, the employee may be required to repay a pro rata share amount of the incentive to the government. Additional information regarding recruitment incentives for current federal employees can be found in DoDI 1400.25, Volume 2006. Requirements Conditions of Employment Security Investigation SPECIAL INFO: As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards. - U.S. Citizenship Required - Security Clearance (Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information) - Polygraph Test Required - Position Subject to Drug Testing - Two Year Probationary Period - Direct Deposit Required SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs. Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs. NGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed. The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications. A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus. An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process. Employees on term or temporary appointments are not eligible to apply for internal assignment opportunity notices. This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility. Qualifications MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online resumes must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement's mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement: 1. Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and other applicable supplements to acquisition processes. 2. Proficiency leading customer interactions to develop acquisition strategies based on market research and solicitations with selection criteria and/or instructions, enabling contract award per customer requirements. 3. Experience leading source selections and/or major sole source procurements, consisting of: cost or price analysis, negotiations and preparation of related contract documentation. 4. Proficiency awarding and administering a variety of contract types, including Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Time and Materials (T&M), Cost-Reimbursement, Incentive, and/or Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ). 5. Experience administering complex contracts, including monitoring contractor performance in collaboration with Contracting Officer's Representative, preparing a variety of modifications, resolving high impact problems, and terminating and closing out contracts. 6. Demonstrated experience coaching and mentoring junior contract professionals. EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. Reference the DoD Qualification Standard for Contracting Positions for exceptions and waivers. -AND- LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Must obtain DAWIA Certification in Contracting, as appropriate for the band, within 36 months of appointment. Once obtained, Defense Acquisition Workforce members must obtain 80 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every 2 years in order to maintain proficiency. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired: 1. Familiarity with the DoD Source Selection Manual. 2. Knowledge of Federal Appropriations Law. 3. Experience in Information Technology (IT) acquisitions to include agile software development. 4. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative approaches and/or creative solutions in response to new and emerging ideas. 5. Demonstrated experience in achieving DAWIA Contracting Professional (Foundational) Certification or Federal Acquisition in Contracting Certification (FAC-C) Level III in Contracting. Education Additional Information