Office of the Secretary of the Interior Logo
Position Title
CONTRACT SPECIALIST
Agency
Office of the Secretary of the Interior
Announcement Number
IBC-23-MP-12117326LH Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, September 15, 2023 to Monday, September 25, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2.

Do you meet any of the following eligibilities? 

  • I am currently serving on a permanent career OR career/conditional appointment in the Federal service 

  • I have previously served on a permanent career appointment 

  • I have previously served on a permanent career conditional appointment and have completed 3 years of continuous creditable service 

  • I have held a permanent career or career conditional appointment and have veteran preference 

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50 non-award) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your competitive status or a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.  

 
 
 (limit characters)
3.

Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation)?  You must meet the following criteria: 

  • was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and, 
  • served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and, 
  • performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; and, 
  • if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing. 

To verify your eligibility, you must submit relevant supporting documentation (e.g. SF-50, documentation of satisfactory performance such as performance evaluations, memorandum of record where the supervisor documented an acceptable performance level, or reference by supervisors, etc.). 

 (limit characters)
4.

Are you a current Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service at the same grade level, or higher as this position with the same or higher promotion potential?  

-OR-  

Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or have you obtained career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you held the same grade as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential? 

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:  

  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,  
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).  
 
 
 
 (limit characters)
5.

(1) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who has been issued orders for a permanent change of station (PCS)? If yes, confirm you are indicated on the PCS orders; and that you:  

  • have been married to the military member on or prior to the date of your spouse's PCS orders;  
  • are relocating with your spouse to the new duty location; AND,  
  • have not previously been appointed using this authority under these orders.  

-OR-  

(2) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?  

-OR-  

(3) Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?  

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources

To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit a copy of the PCS orders indicating you are authorized to relocate on those orders.  

To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc. 

 
 (limit characters)
6.

Foreign Service Employees:  Do you meet ALL of the following eligibilities? 

  • I have served in the Foreign Service under an unlimited, career-type appointment 

  • I have completed at least one year of continuous service without a break of a workday under one or more non-temporary Foreign Service appointments 

  • I have service that began with a non-temporary Foreign Service appointment counting towards the 3-year service requirement for career tenure and have been separated within the past 30 days from the career-type appointment in the Foreign Service 

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your nontemporary status. If you are outside of the 3-year requirement but are entitled to veteran's preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.  

 

 
 
 (limit characters)
7.

Career Transition Assistance Plan:  Do you meet ALL of the following eligibilities? 

 I am a current or former competitive federal employee displaced or surplused from the agency hiring for this position; and 

  • I am located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; and 

  • I am currently in a position at the same grade level or higher than the position being announced; and 

  • My last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent. 

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.

 
 
 (limit characters)
8.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan: Do you meet ALL of the following eligibilities?  

  • I am a current or former competitive federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position; and 

  • I am located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; and 

  • I am currently in a position at the same grade level or higher than the position being announced; and 

  • My last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent. 

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.  

 
 
 (limit characters)
9.

Certain Former Overseas Employees:  Do you meet ALL of the following eligibilities? 

  • I am a former overseas Appropriated Fund employee 

  • I have completed 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area 

  • I have received a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating 

  • I returned to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago 

For more information, review USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50, and performance appraisal.  

 
 
 
 (limit characters)
10.

Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?  

-OR-  

Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?  

-OR-  

Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?  

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.  

 
 
 
 (limit characters)
11.

Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment? 

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist. 

 
 
 
 (limit characters)
12.

Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:  

  • served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,  
  • are entitled to veterans' preference 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources: 

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service. 

 
 
 (limit characters)
13.

Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:  

  • have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,  
  • are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.  

 
 
 (limit characters)
14.

Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management?  

  • Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration 

  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

  • Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs 

  • The Department of Defense (The Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System) Agreement 

  • Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) employees of the Department of Defense 

  • Federal Aviation Administration 

  • Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration 

  • Corporation for National and Community Service 

  • Tennessee Valley Authority 

For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems

-OR-  

Are you a current:  

• Postal Career Service Employee;  

• Postal Rate Commission Employee;  

• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,  

• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee 

For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.

 
 
 (limit characters)
Preferences
1. My performance is at an acceptable level and I am not serving under a Notice of Opportunity to Demonstrate Acceptable Performance (NODAP). (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Please read the following statements and/or questions carefully. Your responses to the following statements and/or questions will determine whether or not you will be eligible for this position. If you respond "No" to any statement and/or question in this section, you will not be eligible for consideration for this position. (limit characters)
1. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire will be true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I provide may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in me not being considered for this position.
 (limit characters)
2. Are you willing to submit to an initial and periodic background investigation, including a fingerprint check and a credit check?
 (limit characters)
3. Do you possess a current Level I or higher Federal Acquisition Certification (FAC-C) or a DoD Contracting Professional Certification? If you do not possess a FAC-C Level I or higher or DoD Contracting Professional Certification, have you completed the following mandatory training courses or their equivalent to include: CON 091 - Contract Fundamentals; CON 100 Shaping Smart Business Arrangements OR FCN 101 Contracting Basics; CON 121 Contract Planning; CON 124 Contract Execution; CON 127 Contract Management; FAC 023 Basic Contracting for GSA Schedules; FAC 031 Small Business Programs; CLC 056 Analyzing Contract Costs; CLC 057 Performance-based Payment & Value of Cash Flow; CLC 058 Introduction to Contract Pricing; CON 170 Fundamentals of Cost and Price Analysis; FCL-CM-2500 Category Management 101? (Note: You must submit proof of certification or completed training with your application). (limit characters)
4. Select the ONE response that best describes the education you possess that demonstrates you meet the Basic Qualification Requirement for Contract Specialist, GS-1102-13.
 (limit characters)
We will evaluate your resume and responses to this Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification and must be supported by your resume and supporting documents. (limit characters)
5. Do you possess at least one year of specialized experience that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the GS-12 level in the Federal service? Specialized experience is defined as experience that is in or directly related to the line of work of this position and has equipped you with the knowledge and competencies to successfully perform the duties of this position. More specifically, this requirement includes assignments that involve experience in: Using contracting principles and procedures applicable to complex pre-award and/or post-award actions sufficient to procure and/or administer contracts for a variety of specialized equipment, services, and/or construction; conducting price or financial analysis for highly complex contracts and applying cost and price analysis principles and techniques and business and industry principles and practices to analyze cost elements on an extensive range of contracts; independently developing strategic procurement plans or methods for an acquisition program; effecting procurements by negotiation, performing the full range of competitive contract negotiation tasks for highly complex acquisitions; developing new terms and conditions or other innovations necessary to satisfy the unique and complex procurement requirements and conditions; analyzing difficult contracting issues and identifying any alternative courses of action to provide the most effective support of current needs and anticipated acquisition program requirements; exemplifies ability to work in customer-focused environment, to include instilling in others effective adaptability to change based on shifts in workload and/or customer requirements. (limit characters)
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Select only one letter for each item. Failure to support your answer to this questionnaire in your resume may result in a lowered score or loss of consideration. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
6. Perform the full-spectrum of duties within the acquisition-cycle to meet varied and highly complex customer requirements and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and policies.
 (limit characters)
7. Negotiate contracts to obtain services and/or products for the Government at a fair and reasonable cost and within acceptable time frame.
 (limit characters)
8. Conduct necessary cost and price analysis to support a determination of fair and reasonable pricing for federal contract awards.
 (limit characters)
9. Administer and manage a variety of contract types including Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Cost Reimbursement (CR), Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), and Time and Material (TM) and/or Labor Hour (LH) contracts.
 (limit characters)
10. Conduct closeout activities in support of high-value and complex contracts to include monitoring prime contractor and subcontracting performance and executing complex contract modifications/changes.
 (limit characters)
11. Provide technical documentation expertise to assist clients with the development of statements of work that accurately describe the work to be performed under the contract.
 (limit characters)
12. Prepare solicitation documents that incorporate provisions such as cost and pricing standards and documentation requirements, evaluation criterion, socio-economic program requirements, delivery schedules, acceptance terms, and guarantees
 (limit characters)
13. Compose policy, reports, evaluations, and recommendations for highly complex and controversial acquisition or financial assistance issues.
 (limit characters)
14. Prepare negotiation documents, taking into consideration the impact on the requirement, and ensuring document completeness and compliance with governing regulations and policies.
 (limit characters)
15. Draft limited source justifications, individual acquisition plans, market research documentation, SBA offer letters, etc.
 (limit characters)
16. Efficiently research, analyze, advise, and apply FAR, agency, organizational, and customer specific policies and regulations in order to plan, execute, and manage compliant, cradle-to-grave complex acquisition services.
 (limit characters)
17. Apply ingenuity and originality in interpreting, modifying, and extending governing policies, techniques, and precedents; and devise terms and conditions tailored to a wide-range of complex procurements.
 (limit characters)
18. Apply new theories or innovative contracting approaches to arrive at an equitable contract arrangement, where little or no contractual precedent exists.
 (limit characters)
19. Make decisions or recommendations on the interpretation and content of agency and customer-specific policies concerning the management and development of long-range or interrelated acquisition programs.
 (limit characters)
20. Develop and manage all contractual aspects of acquisition plans for major programs, ensuring milestones and requirements are met.
 (limit characters)
21. Use sound business judgement to provide expert acquisition services that involve the long-term planning, evaluation, and negotiation of complex, technical, and high-valued procurements.
 (limit characters)
22. Determine the acquisition approach to be taken, develop work plans and schedules, coordinate necessary procurement actions with technical personnel, legal counsel, financial advisors, auditors, etc., and perform all other activities required to accomplish the procurement action in a timely and effective manner.
 (limit characters)
23. Monitor contractor performance to evaluate compliance with the requirements of the acquisition, resolve issues, and negotiate termination or close out.
 (limit characters)
24. Determine potential acquisition and/or compliance issues and proactively provide recommendations and or participate in initiatives to improve acquisition program planning and execution.
 (limit characters)
25. Analyze difficult issues that significantly affect the content, interpretation, or development of complex, long-range, or interrelated agency policies or programs.
 (limit characters)
26. Demonstrate analytical thinking and judgement by anticipating problems and issues that may arise from acquisitions and providing compliant solutions and their potential outcome(s).
 (limit characters)
27. Analyze the current industrial climate, geographic area, and economic conditions to maximize competition and understand best practices, and industry products and services with specific terms and conditions.
 (limit characters)
28. Conduct price, cost, or financial analysis for complex contracts and work with cost and price analysis principles and techniques and business and industry principles and practices to analyze cost elements on various types of contracts.
 (limit characters)
29. Utilize acquisition and business-related systems to analyze contract data, determine discrepancies, and resolve issues in order to effectively manage assigned contracts.
 (limit characters)
Assessment 2
You must complete the following Technical Assessment Questionnaire as part of the application process. Please select the correct response to each question listed below. (limit characters)
1. Certified pricing data is required for commercial services over $2,000,000.00.
 (limit characters)
2. If the contract is for severable services and is funded with one-year funds, the period of performance (excluding options) must be limited to one year or less.
 (limit characters)
3. A ratification is the act of approving an unauthorized commitment by an official who has authority to do so.
 (limit characters)
4. Which of the following is NOT an exception to when certified cost and pricing data is required?
 (limit characters)
5. Which of the following is an example of a violation of the Anti-deficiency Act?
 (limit characters)
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