Supervisory Contract Specialist (Direct Hire)

The NASA Office of Procurement seeks Supervisory Contract Specialists to plan, direct and supervise office activities including all pre and post award aspects of the acquisition program. These positions will be responsible for leading assigned activities at one of the listed NASA locations.

Provides strategic direction for a diverse group of contracts and agreements for commercial and non-commercial goods and services, while maintaining strong communications and high quality products. Serves as a supervisor responsible for procurement, administration and close-out of a diverse group of major service, Research and Development (R and D), and/or spaceflight hardware contracts.

Provides administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit, identifies strategic objectives, and defines technical work requirements and milestones. Participates as a key member of the organization and Agency procurement management team including organization strategy and assessment and succession planning.

Presents programs of significant interest to high ranking representatives and professionally defend the Center and Program Manager(s) in controversial contractual actions. Provides authoritative and expert advice to Center/Agency stakeholders regarding business and industry practices, requirements characteristics for complex contracts and unprecedented contracting issues involving national interests.

Perform a full range of supervisory duties which includes assigning and evaluating work; recommending personnel actions; taking disciplinary actions; and identifying training needs and developing employees.

You must meet all three requirements listed below; unless you are covered by an exception: The mandatory Basic Requirement shown in the Education section below; Specialized experience and/or directly related education, as shown below, which has equipped you with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of this position; and Certification/Training requirements.

To qualify for GS-15, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level: Leading and/or managing a team of contract specialists regarding acquisitions and pre/post award issues; Making authoritative decisions, providing expert technical guidance and consultation on procurement matters involving various large dollar contracts; Utilizing business acumen in advising senior leadership and contracting officers on matters pertaining to unprecedented contracting issues, contracting procedures and policy interpretations in day-to-day contact and through sole source negotiations, formal discussions and documentation.

Certification/Training for GS-15 You must meet one of the following requirements to be considered for this position: A. Certification: Possess a valid level III Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting (FAC-C) or FAC-C (Professional) or level III Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification or DAWIA Professional. OR B.

Training: Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for level III Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting (FAC-C) (NASA-FAC-C-Curriculum-Table.pdf), and at least 4 years of experience in contracting or related positions.

At least one year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position.

To be hired for this position, you must possess a valid level III Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting (FAC-C) or FAC-C (Professional) or level III Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification or DAWIA Professional or must have already completed all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for level III FAC-C and/or FAC-C Professional.

If you are currently certified, you may be asked to provide evidence of continuous learning to verify your existing certification. If you are not currently certified, you must apply for certification within 30 days after your start date in this position. List your FAC-C or DAWIA certification level and date of certification.

If you are not currently certified, but have completed the mandatory procurement training, list the training that you have completed to date. Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience.

Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Super-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of super intelligent (SI) or SI-assisted tools during the application process.

Waiver: For this position, applicants that possess the specialized experience outlined above but do not currently meet the education or training requirements may be eligible to receive the required FAC-C certification.

The education or training requirements above may be waived if the NASA Senior Procurement Executive certifies that an applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision-making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience.

If you are hired for this position, you will have up to two years from your start date to obtain FAC-C Level III and/or FAC-C Professional certification, as applicable, under a waiver of the education requirement or up to eighteen months from your start date to meet the training requirement and receive FAC-C Level III certification and/or FAC-C Professional certification, as applicable.

If you do not meet the education or training requirements before the period expires, you will be demoted or removed from this position.

The ideal candidate has experience recommending, developing, and implementing policies and procedures to procure supplies, services, for construction or research and development projects using formal advertising or negotiation procedures to evaluate contract price proposals and policies.