Contract Specialist

Join a dynamic public agency proudly serving the over 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia. The DC Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) provides contracting services for client agencies and offices in the District. The mission of OCP is to partner with vendors and District agencies to purchase quality goods and services in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost, while ensuring that all purchasing actions are conducted fairly and impartially. OCP manages the acquisition of over $5.7 billion in goods, services, and construction annually on behalf of 80 District agencies. OCP is powered by a diverse team of innovative professionals committed to helping our client agencies reach their goals and accomplish their missions. In addition to contracting and procurement services, OCP’s Surplus Property Division collects, manages, and reuses District-owned and federal surplus property.

OCP’s most important resource is our people. We are committed to attracting the best and brightest talent and support them by creating an environment that allows them to do their best work.

The Office of Contracting & Procurement supports the District with acquisition support services and may support positions in the following functions:

• Health & Human Services (HHS) seeks to empower every District resident to reach their full potential by providing meaningful connections to work opportunities, economic assistance and varying supportive services for the health & welfare of our District residents.
• Office of Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) develops, implements, and maintains the District’s IT and telecommunications infrastructure; develops and implements major citywide applications; establishes and oversees IT enterprise architecture and website standards for the District; and advises District agencies on technology solutions to improve services to businesses, residents and visitors in all areas of District government. Persons in this area would support the District purchasing efforts.
• Government Operations supports a wide range of commodities and services throughout the District. Persons working in this area will interface with the key stakeholders not limited to the Office of the Mayor, City Administrator, and the Wilson Building.
• Public Safety provides collaborative support to Metropolitan Police (MPD), Fire & Emergency Medical Service (FEMS), Homeland Security & Emergency Management Agency and Office of Unified Communications (OUC) to name a few with purchases of supplies, equipment and other service needs.
• The Department of Transportation & Infrastructure cluster is committed to providing environmentally sustainable transportation solutions. DDOT continues to practice and promote environmental excellence as it fulfills its mission to enhance the quality of life for the District of Columbia residents and visitors by ensuring that people, goods and information move efficiently and safely, with minimal adverse impacts on residents and the environment.
• Education provides collaborative support to the Office of the State Superintendent (OSSE) and the Department of Employment Services (DOES) in the procurement of supplies, transportation, equipment and other service needs.
• Department of Public Works (DPW) cluster supports the agency in providing environmentally healthy municpal services that are both ecologically sound and cost effective for District residents.

This announcement will be used for both current and future vacancies. The position(s) may be in various offices, units and/or procurement services bureaus of the Office of Contracting and Procurement and work under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Contract Specialist.

The first review and screening of resumes will take place starting 11 days after the opening date.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Contract Specialist serves as a senior specialist and is the top level within the Contract Specialist job progression series, fully qualified to procure materials for the District. The incumbent uses advanced knowledge of purchasing activities to procure highly specialized and complex goods, services and or equipment. At this level, the emphasis is on managing the bid selection process, conducting pricing analyses, and negotiating with potential contractors. The incumbent works as the team lead, providing technical advice, guidance, and ad hoc training to senior staff, his/her unit and junior staff. Develops the bid solicitation which will include directing the working teams to establish the statement of work (SOW), terms and conditions, and other requirements complex and or highly specialized procurements; conducting pre-proposal meetings with perspective contractor(s) to ensure they have a clear understanding of what is required under the proposed contract; developing pre-negotiation position, determining the types of contracts and negotiation authority to be used, and preparing required justification.

Qualifications and Education
Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-12 or higher-level contracting positions, including at least 4-years’ experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 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.
AND
A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

Licenses and Certifications
Contract Specialists in this grade will be required to achieve The Office of Contracting and Procurement's Tier I District Procurement Certification (OCP-DPC I) and/or Tier II District Procurement Certification (OCP-DPC II) within one (1) year of hire.

Working Conditions/Environment
The work is sedentary, but there is some walking required.

Other Significant Facts
Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (negotiable)
Pay Plan, Series, Grade: CS-1102-13
Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is in a collective bargaining unit
Servicing Agency: Office of Contracting and Procurement.

Proof of Education: Candidates are REQUIRED to provide proof of education at time of application to advance through the selection process.To be considered, you MUST upload a copy of your Degree, college transcripts, or degree evaluation that demonstrates possession of the required educational credential(s) listed above. Applications missing the required education documents will not be further considered. *Additional attachments can be added in the "Resume Upload" section at the beginning of the application.

• Foreign education transcripts will not be accepted. Applicants can request an evaluation from a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services:
  • National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is an association of 19 credential evaluation services with admission standards and an enforced code of good practice.
  • Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) is an association of 10 credential evaluation services with a board of advisors and an enforced code of ethics.

Current District Employees applying to this posting as a lateral, agency reassignment or transfer applicant will be subject to the rules pursuant to District Policy Manual, DPM Chapters 2 and Chapter 11 for such actions.

Position Security Designation: These positions have been deemed Security-Sensitive under the guidelines of the DC Personnel Manual. Incumbents of this position are subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations. Accordingly, applicants must successfully pass a criminal background and consumer credit check as a condition of employment and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of their tenure.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.