Contract Specialist

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the Architect Engineering and Construction (AEC) division of the Office of Contracting and Personal Property Management (OCon & PPM). OCon & PPM is responsible for the overall planning, management and execution of SI’s contracting, acquisition and procurement, privacy, personal property and travel programs.

The Contract Specialist serves in a senior, non-supervisory role for the Architect Engineering and Construction (AEC) division. AEC is responsible for managing the bidding process and selection of contractors, ensuring compliance with directives and federal regulations for contracts related to renovations, construction, architectural, engineering, maintenance and services projects.

In this position, you will: Complete acquisition-related, highly specialized projects in one or more of the following areas: new museum research facility construction; architect/engineering services for studies, site analysis, design and engineering; renovation and major restoration of historic buildings. You will monitor construction compliance for contracts already awarded.

Manage and oversee the preparation and execution of contracts for new construction, building restoration and renovation and architect/engineering services. You will serve as an expert in contracts for technical and non-technical services, equipment and supplies. Develop contract vehicles and pricing strategies tailored to project needs, including IDIQ, job order, design-bid-build, design-build, firm-fixed-price, GMP, and phased contracting approaches.

You will advise senior management on acquisition and contracting matters, policies, procedures, regulations, and process improvements. Act as the overall contract administrator for assigned projects. Establish and maintain electronic contract files; conduct on-site inspections and evaluate project progress; provide contracting advice and guidance during contract administration, including matters related to contract modifications, claims and dispute resolution, and terminations for default or convenience; and coordinate contractual actions to ensure that the Smithsonian Institution (SI) receives the agreed-upon work.

Basic Qualification Requirements: Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 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.

Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.

Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the 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.

With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the specialized experience requirements listed below: Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as independently managing and executing acquisition projects involving new construction, historic building restoration and renovation, and/or architecture/engineering services.

This experience includes interpreting and applying contracting policies, regulations, and procedures; overseeing complex acquisition activities; and providing expert contracting advice and guidance to management. Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position.

Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri.

Corps) 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.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.

S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

See basic education requirements above.