Purchasing Agent; Temp; Title

The primary purpose of this position is to assist in the procurement of standard or specialized service; supply; and/or construction items, services, and/or materials primarily through formal advertising, or through limited use of negotiation techniques.

• Performs detailed review of purchase requests for specialized supplies, equipment, services, or commercial requirements in terms of adequacy, consistency, unrestrictiveness of specifications or descriptions, compliance with administrative requirements, and certification of funds.
• Reviews purchase request for specialized requirements such as components needed for repair, specialized equipment such as engineering equipment, or alterations and repairs to roads and buildings.
• Reviews specifications outlined by customer to ensure information pertaining to the performance period, contractor's obligations, and products expected, etc., are clear and adequate.
• Evaluates possibilities of substituting an "equal" item in order to expand competition by checking commercial catalogs, contract files, and listing of firms offering particular goods, and through informal contracts with sales representatives and buyers from other federal activities.
• Contacts requester concerning discrepancies and ambiguities and assists in resolving unusual problems.
• Determines procurement source and method. Obtains or develops source list of responsible contractors.
• Coordinates with Small Business Specialists.
• May be required to conduct extensive search to initially locate potential suppliers when buying specialized items.
• Determines procurement methods based on procurement history, estimated cost, urgency of need, proprietary consideration, availability of competitors, and applicable directives.
• Solicits oral or written quotes.
• Calls vendors to get oral quotes when delivery is urgent or items are well known.
• Issues amendments as required involving specifications, delivery procedures, or time frames to encourage vendor response.
• May have to attend technical review committees, pre-award conferences, and walk-through for service or construction purchases.
• Consults with supervisor on unusual situations.
• Receives and reviews formal bids and quotes.
• Review quotes for price reasonableness and determines if requirements for competition have been met.
• Evaluates quotes in terms of price, item, discount, transportation, costs, and delivery time and determines offer most advantageous to the government.
• Negotiates with vendors on a variety of issues, such as price breaks for items ordered before a sale date, accelerated delivery, reduction of service charges, and similar agreements.
• Prepares award documentation and performs post award follow-up.
• Selects and uses the appropriate method to confirm or place the order primarily by using a purchase order or may occasionally use a delivery order on purchases against an established contract; a blanket purchase agreement for contracts negotiated and agreed to in advance for repetitive needs; and government credit card procedures when applicable.
• Maintains accurate purchase information in the procurement automated system on purchasing information.
• Codes and inputs revised unit prices, purchase description changes, revised delivery dates, and cancellation data so that accurate information is available to users.
• Reviews computer output products to ensure accuracy. Distributes and suspenses products as appropriate.
• Takes appropriate corrective action to correct invalid data.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.