About this role
Job SummaryAt the Indian Health Service, Contract Specialists acquire the supplies and services that support quality healthcare for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. They manage acquisitions from planning through closeout while ensuring compliance, stewardship, and mission success. Duty locations are available at IHS Area Offices and field locations nationwide. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).
QualificationsTo 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): A. 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; OR B. At least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitativemethods, 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. In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications 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: Developing acquisition plans or procurement objectives. Determining appropriate contract type, acquisition method, competition requirements, clauses, and terms and conditions. Preparing solicitations and amendments; evaluating quotations or proposals for technical acceptability, price reasonableness, responsiveness, or responsibility. Conducting cost and price analysis; participating in negotiations. Preparing award decisions, contract awards, modifications, or task and delivery orders. Administering contracts; monitoring contractor performance; resolving routine contract issues; and providing acquisition guidance to program officials. 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 I have a qualifying combination of the specialized experience and education. 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. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
Major DutiesTotal Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Contract Specialist Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) Plans and executes pre award and post award contracting activities for healthcare related supplies, services, construction, and information technology acquisitions. Prepares solicitation documents, conducts market research, evaluates proposals, negotiates contract terms, and recommends contract awards. Administers contracts throughout the acquisition lifecycle by negotiating modifications, resolving contract issues, monitoring contractor performance, and completing contract closeout activities. Interprets and applies Federal acquisition regulations and agency policies while providing acquisition guidance to program officials and maintaining compliant contract documentation. Collaborates with program officials, legal counsel, finance staff, and technical experts to deliver timely acquisition solutions that support the Indian Health Service mission.RequirementsSelectee may be subject to a probationary period ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 FAC C Professional certification required within 36 months of appointment. Must have a valid bank account for direct deposit. Certain duty locations include positions designated under Public Law 101 630, which involve contact with or control over Indian children. For these locations, the agency must ensure that individuals selected for employment have not been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, certain disqualifying crimes. Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required. 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/. Background Investigation Requirement: This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service. Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process. Financial Suitability Requirement: This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying. Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS). Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.