Contracting Specialist

National Security Agency • Full-time • Fort Meade, MD, US • $57.74k - $91.82k / year • 2d ago

Contracting Specialists at NSA acquire the technology, services, and supplies that enable NSA's mission. They also work as part of a team that handles a wide range of acquisition tasks to effectively manage the total acquisition requirements of an organization, department, or program in support of NSA's mission. Contracting Specialists at NSA award, administer, oversee, and monitor contracts. Responsibilities may include the following: - Conducting market research - Preparing and issuing Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and Requests for Quote (RFQs) - Evaluating proposals from potential contractors/vendors - Negotiating contract terms with selected contractors/vendors - Evaluating procurements to ensure compliance with funding, legal, and program requirements. - Preparing and awarding contracts with supporting documentation in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and NSA policy. - Administering contracts to include issuing modifications and ensuring payment is issued. - Solving complex and unique challenges that arise throughout the life of a contract - Interfacing with various levels of personnel, management, and organizations throughout the Agency. - Meeting frequently with vendors and government technical experts to discuss contract cost, schedule, and performance. - Completing training in federal acquisition to become certified in Contracting under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) within 24 months of employment. - Utilizing Excel and Word at an advanced level on a daily basis to provide analytic support on assigned contracts. - Monitoring contractor performance and ensuring services are delivered in accordance with contract terms and identifying opportunities to improve contract performance and reduce contract cost. - Collaborating with technical experts to establish clearly defined contract tasks; validating those tasks are within the contract scope and cost parameters. - Generating cost estimates using historical data and future projections in an effort to build accurate and reliable spend plans. - Serving as part of a Source Selection Team and often times serving as the Source Selection evaluation lead or as an administrative lead/liaison with industry. - Presenting status updates on expenditures, delivery timelines, and contractor performance to senior executive leadership. - Partnering with finance and mission experts to ensure long-term contracts are properly funded and contract modifications are approved in a timely manner. - Forecasting requirements for future contracts and meeting with mission to draft pre-solicitation documents. - Reviewing contract invoices and collaborating with vendors to resolve any errors or issues prior to payment authorization. This position requires a DAWIA (Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Acct) professional certification in Contracting. A training plan will be put in place to allow the required certification to be achieved within 36 months of employment.

Job Summary

Start a career where you learn to become an acquisition professional supporting the protection of our warfighters around the world, enabling and assisting operations on land, in air, at sea, in space, and within the cyber domain. Contracting Specialists at NSA acquire the technology, services, and supplies that enable NSA's mission. Contracting Specialists work as part of a team that handles a wide range of acquisition tasks to effectively manage the total acquisition requirements of an organization, department, or program in support of NSA's mission.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. A degree in any field is acceptable. Relevant experience must be in business management or contracting (for example, acquisition, procurement, program management, finance, accounting, and logistics). Relevant experience must also include using email, spreadsheets, and word processing. ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 4 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree and no experience.

Competencies

The ideal candidate demonstrates the following: -Effective Communication -Problem Solving -Interpersonal Skills -Partnering -Customer Service -Accountability -Continual Learning -Resilience Preferred degrees include Finance, Accounting, Business Administration/Business Management

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position. Salary Range: $57,736 - $91,815 (Entry/Developmental) Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position. Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience. Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package. Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible). DCIPS Trial Period: If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.

How to apply

Apply soonest, as job postings can close earlier than stated end dates due to changes in requirements. It is important to review and note the minimum qualifications, as only those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted to continue the employment process. Please populate the resume tool to showcase any relevant work experience and education related to the position and answer any applicable screening questions. Information collected will be used to determine eligibility, and failure to provide accurate information may result in disqualification for this position. A confirmation email will be sent after submission of the first application and also after any future updates to submitted applications. **Due to time sensitive communications regarding applications, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from noreply@intelligencecareers.gov. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following: @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com** U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph. NSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process. The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or super intelligence (SI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. (Please attach in application) 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. In this role, you will be expected to professionally and efficiently implement executive direction. Provide an example where you implemented leadership direction on a strategy or policy decision that differed from your own recommendation. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

DCIPS Disclaimer

**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS** Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority. Veterans' Preference In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application. Acceptable documentation includes: - DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR - Certification of Service: A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date; AND - Standard Form 15 (SF-15) Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf). If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability; AND - VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating) You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/). **Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.