For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
Duties
If selected for this position, you will serve as the Contracting Specialist for the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Central District of California. Serves as a warranted Contracting Officer responsible for planning, negotiating, awarding, administering, modifying, and closing out contracts and other acquisition actions for supplies and services required to support agency programs and operations. Exercises delegated contracting authority within the specified limations and serves as the Government's authorized representative for entering into, administering, and terminating contracts and making related determinations and findings. Exercises independent business judgment and ensures acquisition actions comply with applicable federal statues, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency acquisition regulations, policies, procedures, and fiscal requirements. Major Duties and Responsibilities- Reviews procurement requests and works with management and colleagues to define acquisition requirements and develop appropriate acquisition strategies. Conducts and documents market research to determine commercial availability, potential sources, competition opportunities, socioeconomic considerations, and appropriate acquisition methods. Reviews statements of work, independent government cost estimates, funding documents, and other acquisition documentation for adequacy and compliance. Determines appropriate procurement methods, contract types, competition strategies, source-selection approaches, evaluation criteria, and solicitation provisions and clauses. Provides acquisition advice to senior leadersip and stakeholders regarding procurement lead times, competition requirements, contract vehicles, small-business considerations, contract types, acquisition risks, and alternative procurement strategies. Develops and issues solicitations, requests for quotations, requests for proposals, amendments, and other acquisition documents. Conducts pre-solicitation and pre-proposal conferences when appropriate and responds to questions from prospective contractors. Evaluates quotations, bids, and proposals and coordinates technical evaluations with internal customers and subject matter experts. Performs price and cost analysis to determine price reasonableness and evaluates proposed costs and other pricing factors as applicable. Establishes negotiation objectives and conducts negotiations with contractors concerning price, terms and conditions, delivery requirements, and other contractual matters. Documents source-selection and award decisions in accordance with applicable acquisition requirements. Determines contractor responsibility and verifies that prospective contractors meet applicalb eligibility requirements. Makes contract awards and signs contractual instruments within the limits of delegated contracting authority. Ensures sufficient funds are available and that all legal, regulatory, competition, socioeconomic, and administrative requirements have been satisfied before obligating the Government. Documents the contract file to establish the basis for acquisition decisions and demonstrate compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Administers contracts after award and ensures contractor compliance with terms and conditions. Issues contract modifications, exercises options, processes funding actions, addresses changes in requirements, and makes other contractual decisions within delegated authority. Coordinates with Contracting Officer's Representatives (CORs), legal counsel, financial personnel, property personnel, security officials, and other stakeholders regarding contractor performance. Evaluates contractor requests regarding claims, performance issues, delays, suitability of personnel, and other matters affecting contract performance. Takes appropriate action when contractor performance does not meet contract requirements. Ensures that only authorized Government officials direct contractors or make commitments that may affect contract cost, schedule, scope, or contractual obligations. Ensures completed contracts are properly closed out in accordance with applicable regulations and agency procedures. Verifies completion of contract performance, final acceptance, final payment, disposition of Government property, resolution of outstanding contractual issues, and completion of required administrative actions. Maintains complete and accurate official contract files and acquisition records. Performs other duties as assigned; especially administrtative services related duties related to logistics, space and facilities management, accountable property, mail, records, government vehicles, etc.. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Salary
Qualifications
To be qualified at the GS-11, and/or GS-12, you must possess one of the following Basic Requirements: A 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree with a major in any field. OR 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. OR Occupy or have occupied a GS-1102 Contract Specialist position in the Federal government on January 1, 2000 at a GS-05 through GS-12 Note: You must submit your transcript (unofficial or official) at the time of application to be considered for this position. Failure to submit your transcript may result in disqualification. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements described above, you must also meet the following Grade Specific Requirements: To be qualified at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following conditions, as defined below: specialized experience, education or a combination of education and experience. Specialize Experience: ONE full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: conducting all aspects of contracting for supplies and services from initiation to award recommendation; reviewing requisitions and determining method of procurement, i.e. formal advertising or negotiation; establishing procurement plans through review of history, market conditions, and specifications; evaluating adequacy and completeness of requisition descriptions; compiling bidders' lists; initiating and issuing solicitation documents to insure clear and complete specifications, requirements, and other stipulations; responding to procurement inquiries; analyzing bids and proposals; conducting price/cost analysis to determine bid responsiveness and responsibility; recommending and documenting awards; and drafting final contracts. Education: One of the following types of graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education. Combination of Experience and Education: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of two full years. To be qualified at the GS-12 level you must have at least one full year of specialize experience. Specialize Experience: ONE full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: procuring supplies, services, and equipment using formal advertising and negotiated procedures and techniques; conducting market analysis to determine product/producer availability; establishing new sources based on projected needs analysis; initiating solicitation documents to include determining type of contract, language, and clauses; evaluating bids or offers to determine bidder's responsiveness, capacity, and compliance; conducting price analysis to determine reasonableness of price; planning and conducting negotiations on price, technical requirements, terms, and conditions of contracts; and awarding or recommending awards .If selected, you will receive formal and/or on-the-job training as needed. You must be able to attain and retain at least a Level 1 (One) Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) as a Federal contracting professional. FAC-C has specific training requirements with some courses online and in the classroom. To maintain a FAC-C, contract professionals are required to meet a continuous training requirement. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov OR Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package, which includes - Required: Your responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (This is completed automatically during the apply online process). - Required: Your resume cannot exceed two pages - you will be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration if your resume exceeds two pages - see USAJOBS for formatting requirements. Include relevant employment history as outlined below for each job: Official position title (if Federal, include series/grade), Employer name and contact information, Start and end dates (for full consideration you must include month, day, and year), Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and A list of duties performed and accomplishments. 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. -Required if you meet qualifications based on education: An unofficial college transcript (Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript will be required prior to your first day.) and foreign education evaluation documentation, if applicable, as described under the "Qualifications" section of this vacancy announcement. -Required, if applicable: Veterans' Preference documentation. -Required for Veterans' Preference- If you are entitled to Veterans' Preference, you must indicate the type of preference you are claiming in your application and submit the appropriate documentation, as specified below. In order to verify your Veterans' Preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); or if you are a current Active Duty member you must submit a certification on appropriate military branch letterhead that indicates: 1) your service dates, 2) expected discharge or release date from active duty with a release/discharge date no later than 120 days from the closing date of this announcement, and 3) the character of service (e.g., Honorable); In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower if a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference" dated October 2013 and all the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim. -Required, if applicable: CTAP/ICTAP documentation (a copy of a separation notice or other proof of eligibility for priority selection; a copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing current position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location; AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. -If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you must submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found at: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire -Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of all the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/02/2026 the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: 1. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button. 2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. 3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on 09/02/2026. 4. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification. 5. If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements (https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_System_Requirements) 6. Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13032525 To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://usajobs.gov). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.
