Contracts Specialist, Sr

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community.

The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), is seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Specialist, Major Acquisitions to lead complex, high-value procurements supporting NRAO scientific, engineering, construction, and major capital programs. The successful candidate will initially serve as the lead contracts professional for the High Resolution Subarray antenna procurement and will play a significant role in future Next Generation Very Large Array construction acquisitions, including procurements exceeding $100 million.

This is a senior individual contributor role, not primarily a transactional purchasing position. The Senior Contracts Specialist will provide acquisition leadership from planning through closeout, establish contracting strategies, identify weaknesses in acquisition approaches and documentation, guide multidisciplinary teams in developing defensible procurement records, and prepare executive and external review-quality acquisition documentation. The position reports to the Contracts and Procurement Manager, who retains contracting and signature authority.

The position is based at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory offices in Albuquerque, NM.

• Develop and critically assess acquisition strategies addressing competition, technical complexity, schedule, contract type, cost, intellectual property and data rights, manufacturing readiness, supplier capacity, supply chain risk, production transition, funding, and program objectives; identify unsupported assumptions or evidentiary gaps and coordinate their resolution.
• Develop defensible acquisition documentation, including sole source and limited competition justifications, suitable for review by NRAO leadership, AUI, NSF, auditors, oversight organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• Conduct cost and price analysis, evaluate contractor proposals and bases of estimate, analyze major cost drivers, develop negotiation positions, support complex negotiations, and document price reasonableness.
• Draft, negotiate, and administer complex contractual instruments and apply Uniform Guidance, NSF requirements, AUI/NRAO policies and procedures, and other applicable Federal procurement standards throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
• Lead the contracting workstream for complex and high-value acquisitions from acquisition planning through award, administration, and closeout.
• Serve as a trusted acquisition advisor to project teams, technical staff, Finance, Legal, senior management, sponsors, and external stakeholders.

Work is mission driven, team oriented and typically performed in an office setting within a research or development environment. The position is based at NRAO offices in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with periodic domestic and international travel to NRAO sites, vendor facilities, sponsor meetings, negotiations, and project locations.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, supply chain, contracts or acquisition management, law, engineering, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent…