Contracting Specialist, AFRL/RDK - Albuquerque, United States - Air Force STEM

Description

Job Overview

This is an open announcement to solicit candidates to fill positions using AFRL's Direct Hire Authority and is accepting applications until 01 May 2024.

The DO-02 position aims to develop technical expertise leading to an unlimited contracting officer's warrant. This involves honing skills related to contract development/management, negotiation, and oversight.

The DO-03 position builds upon the foundation laid by the DO-02 position, aiming for even greater expertise in the realm of contracting. Individuals take on more complex and strategic responsibilities.

AFRL/RDK Contracting is a 50+ person contracting organization that is dedicated to the Direct Energy Directorate. It has six Branches, including a Services Branch and Specialized Contracts Branch that support multiple Directorates located within the Phillips Research Site at Kirtland AFB. The Division has a dedicated Clearance and Program Support team that includes Price/Cost Analysts and Procurement Analysts. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Directed Energy Directorate is a vital center of excellence for directed energy technology within the United States Air Force. Its mission encompasses the discovery, development, and integration of cutting-edge directed energy warfighting technologies. These technologies span various domains, including high-energy lasers, electromagnetics, and electro-optics. The ultimate goal is to enhance the capabilities of our nation's air, space, and cyberspace forces.

RDK contracting utilizes a broad range of contract types/authorities to include: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), Grants and Agreements, Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIA) and Technology Investment Agreements (TIA), Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) under FAR Part 35; all Other Transaction (OT) authorities and hybrid actions such as Advanced Research Announcements (ARAs) as well as standard FAR based cost type contracts. Contract Specialist specific duties will include:

• Serve as a business advisor and subject matter expert to multiple program managers and senior leaders within the agency on procurement related topics including developing acquisition strategy for future procurement requirements, preparation of required procurement supporting documentation, and the resolution of specific procurement issues.
• Solicit, analyze, evaluate, and negotiate contractor's proposals for complex, large-scale, long-term multi-million-dollar contracts.

Key Skills and Abilities:

1. Professional knowledge of a wide range of Federal contracting laws, regulations, policies, procedures, methods, techniques, and contract types applicable to pre-award and post-award actions for a variety of complex contracts.

2. Knowledge of the business environment (e.g. economic trends, awareness of commercial business practices, standards, mergers and acquisitions, etc.) in order to recognize potential programmatic/contractual impacts, and knowledge of the methods and techniques of fact-finding/market research.

3. Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools used to assist in risk identification, assessment, and mitigation including assessing the probability and consequences of potential problems.

4. Knowledge of contract negotiation, administration, and termination principles, policies, procedures, and technical requirements; and knowledge of price and cost analysis sufficient to review proposals against previous history, actual and estimated expenditures, and established rates to determine price reasonableness or to determine a negotiation position.

5. Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and make recommendations; makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions applying precedents found in government contracting case law to specific contracting situations to insure that legally binding contracting officer decisions are consistent, justifiable, and will be upheld at appellate courts or boards; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals.

6. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, and use computers and a variety of software programs and databases, gather and analyze a variety of program information, make sound judgments concerning program progress, and effectively communicate recommendations orally and in writing to higher organizational management and contractors.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for telework opportunities; as determined by agency policy
Required Qualifications

• Must meet the for the 1102 occupational series defined in Title 10: 10 USC 1724: Contracting positions: qualification requirements )
• Must have at least one year (52) weeks of specialized experience at the next lower grade level for either a DO-02 (DO/DR-01, GS-11, or NH-02) or DO-03 (DO/DR-02, GS-13, or NH-03) in the Federal system
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• United States Citizenship
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see
• This position is an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position. The selectee will have 24-months to meet APDP requirements or a waiver must be obtained.
• Position may be subject to random drug testing
• In accordance with the Ethics in Government Act, 1978, employee is required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• This position may require travel.
• Incentives may be offered.
• PCS costs may be authorized.

Desired Qualifications

• 5 or more years of defense contracting experience, R&D preferred
• Knowledge of governmental contracting principles, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of business practices and market conditions applicable
• Knowledge of Government and agency-specific guidelines and business practices, including statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures that cover different contract types.
• Skill in applying contract price/cost analysis techniques to a variety of pre-award and/or post-award procurement actions.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Has held a Contracting Officer's warrant, Air Force preferred

Requisition No

Series

1102