Contract Specialist

Contract Specialist

Department: Department of Defense

Location(s): Arlington, Virginia

Salary Range: $121785 - $187093 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is part of the Contracts Management Office (CMO) in the R&D Division. The incumbent, a warranted contracting officer, is responsible for a variety of acquisition and assistance related elements reaching across the full range research and development contracting, but also including services acquisitions, international contracting and other unique DARPA contracting situations in support of DARPA's Mission.

Major Duties:

• As a Contract Specialist GS-1102-13/14, some of your typical work assignments may include: Serve as the principal acquisition advisor to technical clients, providing expertise on use of Other Transactions in non-procurement and prototyping situations. Active involvement in the acquisition planning process, adapting to each technical offices varying internal processes, management and communication styles and personalities while reviewing and assessing requirements and developing the most appropriate, streamlined, and efficient acquisition strategy. Serve as a contracting officer, a grants officer, or an agreements officer with specified negotiation authority for assigned technical programs across technical offices and acquisitions. Assess and resolve complex pre-award issues including evaluating contractor technical and financial capability and perform cost analysis, negotiating subcontracting issues including utilization of small disadvantaged businesses as sub-contractors, and reinterpreting policies to apply to new or changing circumstances. Independently monitor contract performance, changes, deliverables, schedules, & financial status. Serves as the principal acquisition representative for a primary technical office, but also assists DARPA's technical offices in matters related to acquisitions and assistance. Inform senior management of significant actions, anticipated acquisition strategies and potential issues requiring management and/or General Counsel involvement. Perform contract administration, including incremental funding, option exercises, in-scope changes, time extensions, change orders, stop work orders, cure notices or show cause letters, terminations, monitoring of property reporting, and contract closeout. Manage workload and perform contract management using a host of electronic tools. Maintain continuous learning through training courses, professional activities, attendance at conferences, and speaking to maintain DoD education requirements.

Qualifications: You may qualify at the GS-1102-13 if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS -12) in the federal service (experience may have been gained in the military or private sector). Experience establishing acquisition strategy, awarding and administering complex research and development, services, or systems contracts. Experience with pre-award planning, negotiation, awarding and administering other unique and innovative award instruments such as, procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and other transactions. Experienced, warranted Contracting Officers interested in working the highest priority requirements in a high tempo, dynamic environment. You may qualify at the GS-1102-14 if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS -13) in the federal service (experience may have been gained in the military or private sector). Experience establishing acquisition strategy, awarding and administering complex research and development, services, or systems contracts. Experience with pre-award planning, negotiation, awarding and administering other unique and innovative award instruments such as, procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and other transactions. Experienced, warranted Contracting Officers interested in working the highest priority requirements in a high tempo, dynamic environment. Experienced, warranted contracting officer interested in working the highest priority requirements in a high tempo, dynamic environment while providing excellent customer service Innovative self-starter and problem solver This position has a Basic Requirement for the 1102 series: A. Earned a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degree; OR B. A current or former civilian 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 C. A current or former military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS-1102 on or before September 30, 2000.*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the DoD basic qualifications requirements. See:https://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/DoD_Qualification_Standard_For_GS-1102.pdf for DoD qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS section of this announcement by the close of this announcement. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To preview the questionnaire, please go to https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12899368.

Application Deadline: 2026-04-06