About this role
Job SummaryThis position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Acquisition, Logistics and Construction (OALC) Office of Procurement Operations (OOP); Technology Acquisition Center (TAC). TAC is a world class Acquisition organization that is customer-focused, emulated by others and an employer of choice. TAC maintains nimble operations, utilizing documented and repeatable processes as well as integrated tools and technology.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/07/2026. In addition to the specialized experience the 1102 Occupation Series has Individual Occupational Requirements for GS13 and higher: A. 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. AND B. 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. OR, C. 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. OR, 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. Certification Requirements: The incumbent must have achieved Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III contracting certification or Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level III certification or Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional certification. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-14 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-13 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Formulate and recommend policies and plans pertaining to acquisition planning, procurement, and contract administration in connection with acquiring the supplies, equipment and services required Evaluate the effectiveness and economy of procurement activities and provide for the necessary research in the broad aspects of procurement management. Develop, lead and direct the functions of a diverse subordinate staff of contract specialists Make recommendations and decisions related to program planning and evaluation of long range acquisition projects that eventually are included in the Acquisition Plans. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and 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 for this vacancy. To be found well qualified, applicants must meet the following qualifications: Mastery of Federal Acquisition Regulations, Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations, contract law, and procedures applicable to acquisition and contract administration including change orders, supplemental agreements, terminations, claims, and close out of contracts. Knowledge of negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate prices, terms and conditions, contract modifications and settlements. Knowledge of the market and sources to include identification of offerors in specific socio-economic categories eligible for set-asides Mastery of managerial and coordinating activities sufficient to control a variety of contractual actions occurring concurrently, in an overlapped fashion or sequentially, and to control several simultaneous, interrelated contracts with different contractors and recipients Mastery of assigned system principles and terminology sufficient to understand and articulate user needs and discuss in negotiations with customers within VA program offices as well as from other Government agencies. 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/. Local Commuting Area: The local commuting area for this position is defined as a radius of 50 miles from Austin TX, Eatontown NJ, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst NJ.
Major DutiesThis position serves as a Supervisory Contract Specialist responsible for executing contracting requirements for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These acquisitions include procuring complex Information and Technology (IT) goods and services in support of programs that are critical to carrying-out the mission of VA. These acquisitions have large funding levels and commitment periods which can extend up to 10 years in some cases. Contracts have departmentwide impact as well as impact on the missions of other Government agencies. The criticality and visibility of the acquisitions are such that progress is monitored at the highest level of management within VA, other Government agencies, and by Congressional oversight committees. Duties include but are not limited to: Supervising employees across GS-03 through GS-13 levels, including assigning and reviewing work, overseeing personnel management actions, developing performance standards, conducting evaluations, resolving complaints, and ensuring compliance with safety and EEO requirements. Managing and coordinating the full lifecycle of procurement actions from receipt through closeout, ensuring adherence to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR), VA policies, directives, and handbooks, while providing status reporting to leadership. Serving as a senior-level Contract Specialist responsible for planning, developing, and executing complex acquisition strategies for major IT programs; performing market research, cost/price analysis, negotiations, contract administration, and providing authoritative contracting advice to program officials and upper management. Leading and overseeing the work of a team by distributing workload, monitoring progress, ensuring timely completion of assignments, training staff in contracting methods, facilitating problem-solving, and adjusting priorities based on organizational needs and strategic objectives. Exercising contracting officer authority on highly visible, technically complex acquisitions; directing contract modifications, resolving contractor performance issues, preparing determinations and findings, and maintaining required FAC-C Level III, Unlimited Warrant, and DITAP certification. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Telework limited to ad-hoc with supervisor approval. Regular and recurring telework is not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Contract Specialist/PD44334A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.