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Summary The incumbent serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for all pre-award and post-award functions including initiation, solicitation, recommendation of award, contract administration, payment, and contract closeout for procurement and other financial assistance programs assigned to Commodity Procurement Program. Responsibilities The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Determine both financial and technical responsibility of potential new vendors, and assist those vendors through the process to become an approved vendor. Review and analyze relevant production and price data, and make recommendations concerning the need for surplus removal purchase programs. Prepare accurate announcements, invitations to bid, requests for information, requests for proposals, and related contractual documents in the administration of contracts. Perform detailed analysis of bids received using processes and procedures designed to ensure the most advantageous awards for USDA nutrition assistance programs. Review, analyze, and make recommendations concerning various factors affecting ongoing purchase and other financial assistance operations. Ensure that the provisions of Sections 8 and 15 of the Small Business Act, as amended by PL 95-507 and the provisions of Executive Order 12138 are implemented in procurement activities. Recommend purchase and financial assistance programs for a full range of agricultural commodities. Review contracts to be awarded to successful bidders. Conduct contract administration, including the analysis and resolution of contractor-requested waivers of requirements, recipient-requested destination changes, shipment issues, and delivery issues. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; OR; 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. 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 when seeking another position. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Assisting with pre or post award functions such as price/cost analysis, contract negotiations, or administering contracts to complete the phases of a contract Assisting with selecting the appropriate contract type that supports mission requirements. ; OR 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree in the fields of: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management; OR LL.B. or J.D. if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Providing pre or post award functions such as writing acquisition strategies, determining price reasonableness, determining contractor responsibility, issuing non-conformance decisions, or executing contract closeout to complete the phases of a contract Monitoring contract performance for compliance with terms and conditions Reviewing contracts for accuracy in accordance with policy. ; OR .3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the fields of: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Performing independently pre-award and post award functions and contractual actions, such as acquisition planning, solicitation preparation and award of various types of contracts and contract administration to include change orders, supplemental agreements, show cause, stop work terminations, and closeout of contracts. Monitoring contractor performance, implementing appropriate contractual resolution, when necessary. Researching acquisition planning and requirements.. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-9/11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.