CONTRACT SPECIALIST (GS-7/12)

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DOD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: This announcement will fill a few vacancies for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with duty locations as specified in the announcement. The incumbent serves as a Contract Specialist managing full-lifecycle pre-award and post-award civil works procurement actions.

Duties

Perform acquisition planning and develop contractual strategies with technical teams to support regional civil works, construction, and service requirements. Draft solicitation packages, analyze proposals, and perform cost or price analysis to ensure compliant, fair, and reasonable contract awards. Plan, prepare, and lead contract negotiations for competitive and sole-source actions to establish solid technical terms and pricing objectives. Manage post-award contract administration by monitoring contractor performance, reviewing invoices, and conducting site visits to verify compliance. Negotiate contract modifications, resolve complex disputes or claims, and execute closeouts or terminations for convenience or default.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Contract Specialist: Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. OR Exemption: You are exempt from the education requirements above if (A) you are a current civilian employee in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000; OR (B) you are a current military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 on or before September 30, 2000.In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: GS-07 Specialized Experience Requirement: To qualify for the GS-07 grade level, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service in at least 3 of the following areas: 1. Assist in conducting basic market research by searching databases and contacting vendors to identify potential sources for routine supplies or services. OR 2. Prepare and assemble standard solicitation packages and simple contract files, ensuring all required routine clauses and administrative documents are included. OR 3. Review contractor invoices and payment requests against terms to verify accuracy and confirm delivery receipt before recommending payment. OR 4. Maintain and organize official pre-award and post-award contract files, tracking key milestones and deadlines to assist with timely contract closeouts. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level (GS-05) position in the federal service. GS-09 Specialized Experience Requirement: To qualify for the GS-09 grade level, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service in at least 3 of the following areas: 1. Assist with draft solicitations, amendments, and public notices for standard supplies or services, ensuring compliance with established procurement regulations. OR 2. Perform price analyses on competitive quotes and bids by comparing vendor prices to historical data, independent estimates, or current market rates. OR 3. Draft routine contract modifications, such as administrative changes, extensions, or funding actions, for review and signature. OR 4. Monitor contractor performance on active awards, checking delivery schedules and communicating with technical staff to resolve routine delivery or service issues. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level (GS-07) position in the federal service. GS-11 Specialized Experience Requirement: To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service in at least 3 of the following areas: 1. Develop pre-award documentation (i.e.; acquisition plans, and/or solicitations for procurements, services, or contracts). OR 2. Conduct cost and price analyses on non-competitive proposals, including reviewing subcontractor cost structures, evaluating historical audit data, and preparing pre-negotiation positions. OR 3. Participate in or lead contract negotiations on competitive and sole-source actions to establish fair and reasonable pricing, clear performance terms, and acceptable profit margins, or draft pre/post-negotiation documentation. OR 4. Manage and evaluate multi-year contracts, performance, modifications, negotiating equitable adjustments, and resolving contractor claims or disputes. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level (GS-09) position in the federal service. GS-12 Specialized Experience Requirement: To qualify for the GS-12 grade level, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service in at least 3 of the following areas: 1. Performing pre-award, post-award and close-out work for various contracting projects, and monitor contract performance OR 2. Serve as lead contracting representative or assist in guiding stakeholders through proposal evaluation, price/cost analysis and contract award. OR 3. Participate in high-value negotiations, including modifications, profit analysis and audits. OR 4. Performing work associated with contractual issues such as contractor defaults, terminations for convenience, and /or major claims. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11). Qualification requirement: Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

How you will be evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/06/2026 to receive consideration To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13100819). Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete. It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

Other information

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter, for the GS-12 grade level only. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a(n) Contracting and Procurement Career Program position aligned under the Human Capital & Resource Management (HC/RM) Career Management Directorate. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is NOT authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. Recruitment/Relocation incentive WILL NOT be authorized. Management may select at any of the grade levels announced. This position has promotion potential to the GS-12 grade level. Promotion is never automatic. Promotion is based on the recommendation by the supervisor that employee meets all necessary qualification requirements for promotion, is performing the full scope of the major duties, and is functioning under the supervisory controls as stated in the target job description.