Contract Specialist - Federal Acquisition Service

Summary

As a Contract Specialist at the full performance level, you will be responsible for the full range of pre‑award and post‑award functions within the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS).

Location determined upon selection.

FAS provides a vast array of innovative products, services, and solutions across government at the best value possible.

Analyze difficult contracting issues and identify alternative courses of action.

Assist the Contracting Officer (CO) in the acquisition planning processes, providing advice and assistance to ensure proposed service enhancements are within the scope of the contracts or that specifications are developed in a format suitable for competitive solicitation.

Prepare acquisition documentation, including market analyses, acquisition plans, and Determination & Findings, and submit to the CO for final review/approval. Help determine the acquisition strategy that best aligns with customer requirements.

Support the CO in negotiations, which includes planning and documenting a negotiation strategy and participating in negotiations to develop the contract prices and terms culminating in issuance of the contract or task order.

Ensure effective contracting by performing all necessary actions to comply with contract terms, safeguarding the interests of the United States in its contractual relationships, and providing quality acquisitions that adhere to regulatory and policy compliance.

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Meet time‑in‑grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

• Current or former political appointees must disclose prior political service within the last five years and obtain OPM authorization.
• Serve a one‑year probationary period, if required.
• Undergo and pass a Tier 4 background investigation.
• Have identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee (through the Department of Homeland Security’s e‑Verify system); resolve any discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
• Complete a financial disclosure report to verify no conflict of interest exists between your financial interest and this position.
• Position requires temporary duty business travel approximately 25% of the time.

• For each job on your resume, provide the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year).
• Include the number of hours per week you worked if part‑time.

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

The GS‑12 salary range starts at $89,508 per year. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑11 level or higher in the Federal service.

• A 4‑year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field.

• At least 24 semester hours in any combination of: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience performing a wide range of pre‑ and/or post‑award contract activities such as soliciting, negotiating, awarding, monitoring, and/or closing out contracts; and interpreting and applying federal acquisition regulations, agency policies, and contract law principles to ensure compliance.

This position has a positive education requirement:
Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will…