**EM CORPORATE POSITION DESCRIPTION**\
**Contract Specialist****\
GS-1102-13**

**Introduction**

The mission of the Office of Environmental Management (EM) is the
accelerated risk reduction and cleanup of the environmental legacy of
the nation\'s nuclear weapons program and government-sponsored nuclear
energy research. The program is one of the largest, diverse and
technically complex environmental cleanup programs in the world and
includes responsibility for the cleanup of 114 sites across the country.
Based on the recommendations of the National Academy of Public
Administration (NAPA) and the EM Best in Class Project Management
(BiCPM) initiative, essential project management, planning, and control
services will be provided to EM sites leading up to, during and after
physical site closure.

EM's mission has been transformed from a program that indefinitely
managed risk associated with the Nation's weapons production program to
a well-defined project that accelerates risk reduction with clear cost,
scope, schedules and project controls as the program transitioned to
cleaning up the legacy of the weapons program. With the completion of a
comprehensive, complex-wide review ordered by the Secretary of Energy,
the estimated cost of the cleanup program decreased by over \$30 billion
and the time to complete will be shortened by 35 years, eliminating
risks to our workers, our communities, and the environment a generation
earlier than previously planned. Accomplishment of EM's transformation
requires driving greater clarity and predictability from federal
business systems and greater accountability for federal managers and
employee performance.

This position is located at (assigned site). The incumbent of this
position serves as a Senior Contract Specialist for (assigned site) and
supported client sites.

**Major Duties and Responsibilities**

1.  As Senior Contract Specialist, provides expert level solicitation,
    negotiation, award, oversight and administration of complex
    contracts with unique incentive structures typically valued in
    excess of \$10M, and ranging up to \$500M. Duties include the full
    range of contract award and administration responsibilities;
    negotiation of contract modifications, authorization of payments,
    approval of subcontracts, approval of fee determinations,
    development and implementation of unique terms and conditions having
    significant impact including setting precedent for future
    acquisitions. Senior Management relies on this individual to provide
    advice in complex contracting situations.

2.  Serves as a point of contact and Contract Specialist for assigned EM
    and client site contracts, and assists EM and client sites on other
    acquisitions. Assists in preparing procurement requests and
    supporting information and other related documentation associated
    with contracts. Coordinates contract actions with program/project
    managers, Headquarters, and DOE\'s Office of Procurement (as
    appropriate) to ensure contract information and documentation is
    accurate, complete and timely. Reviews contractor vouchers for
    accuracy and authorizes payment. Meets with contractor personnel to
    discuss and resolve questions or issues associated with contract
    requirements, performance or reporting.

3.  Plans, negotiates, and/or administers complex procurements of goods,
    systems or services with specialized, state-of-the-art, critical or
    scarce requirements. The procurements are characterized by a lack of
    any previous cost data, require the use of a wide variety of cost
    and fixed-price contracts, multi-year contracts and extensive use of
    subcontractors, involve frequent changes in terms, conditions or
    funding arrangements, and similar difficulties.

4.  Develops and/or reviews complex contractual pricing arrangements and
    incentives characterized by multiple incentives requiring
    sophisticated contracting techniques, i.e. sharing arrangements such
    as cost-plus-incentive-fees or fixed-price-incentive-fees where the
    agency and the contractor share cost risk, or economic price
    adjustment clauses for adjusting labor and material costs where
    price can not be reasonably predicted at the time of negotiation.
    Audits or reviews major acquisitions of similar complexity. Presents
    findings, recommends corrective actions and policy or procedure
    improvements. Reviews, advises on, develops and recommends operating
    unit-wide or agency-wide procurement processes and systems,
    procedures and policies, or equivalent assignment.

5.  Serves as a recognized expert on EM contract and procurement
    matters. Performs in-depth analysis of requirements for contractor
    provided products and services, and the types of contract mechanisms
    suited for supporting EM activities. Advises the Center Director,
    contracting functional leader, and other senior EM and client site
    management on long-range procurement strategies to assure that
    acquisitions are compatible with overall mission, objectives, and
    projected program requirements, and are consistent with DOE and EM
    complex-wide mission requirements.

6.  Develops, interprets, supplies, and provides EM procurement policy
    and procedural guidance to EM principal program areas involving
    large annual dollar expenditures for contractual services. Deals
    directly with the appropriate program managers and with procurement
    and technical specialists, providing expert advice in resolving
    highly complex and unique procurement problems associated with
    specific projects.

7.  Reviews, comments and makes recommendations on assigned contract
    extend/compete actions. Meets directly with senior management and
    operating contract managers and staffs on these matters; works with
    the EM Headquarters on final extend/compete decisions.

8.  Coordinates the approval process for procurement documentation and
    the preparation of solicitation packages; coordinates justification
    for non-competitive procurement and for contract ratification;
    contract delegation actions; and services contracting. Obtains
    negotiation clearances, coordinates proposed evaluation
    presentations developed for Source Evaluation Boards for selection
    of contractors, and obtains approval of contracts. Serves as member
    on Source Evaluation Boards, providing information and
    recommendations on requirements for the procurement of a wide
    spectrum of highly technical services.

9.  Reviews and resolves difficult problems involved in contract
    proposals for technical and support services. Evaluates
    program/project decisions in the light of past contractor
    performance balanced against critical needs for technology to
    accomplish program objectives. Explores issues with management and
    contractor officials, and recommends resolution that may involve
    requesting exceptions to established DOE procurement policy.
    Provides guidance in preparing procurement plan documents supporting
    specific Source Evaluation Board activities, as appropriate.
    Provides expert advice on procurement policy and other factors of
    significant importance in the source evaluation process.

10. Assists in the implementation of policies for assuring compliance
    with the Competition in Contracting Act. Keeps management informed
    of requirements directed by statute review or federal procurement
    regulations. Monitors implementation through review of procurement
    actions, reports submitted by staff and program officials at
    periodic intervals, and by personal contacts. Recommends corrective
    action to resolve difficult problems, develops written guidelines,
    and orients on their responsibilities.

11. Reviews unsolicited proposals and develops control documentation;
    ensures unsolicited proposals are screened/logged in, and that
    status reports are developed and monitored.

12. Reviews General Accounting Office (GAO) and internal agency reports
    on procurement activities and makes recommendations for correcting
    deficiencies noted in reports or develops comments indicating how
    and why GAO findings are in error. Analyzes Congressional and OMB
    inquiries involving ORP related procurements and procurement policy,
    and prepares appropriate responses based upon knowledge of policies
    and program procurement operations.

13. Provides periodic briefings and written reports on the status,
    issues, and progress of the procurement process to ORP, client site
    management and EM Headquarters management, identifying those
    critical issues requiring management attention and recommending
    appropriate courses of action to remove complex acquisition
    problems.

**Factor Levels**

**[Factor 1 - Knowledge Required by the Position]{.underline}** **FL 1-8
1550 points**

Mastery of Federal contracting laws, regulations, policies and
precedents, and related principles, policies, procedures, and contractor
human resources management issues related to contracts, purchasing
systems, cost accounting principles, etc. to plan, review, or audit the
most complex procurement functions.

Skill in technical and coordination activities sufficient to perform
work on a variety of highly complex procurement and contractual
processes or reviews.

Familiarity with business practices and market conditions sufficient to
evaluate bid responsiveness, contractor responsibility and contractor
performance.

Ability to compose and present factual information, analyses, and
recommendations based on agency guidelines.

**[Factor 2 - Supervisory Controls]{.underline} FL 2-4 450 points**

The supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available. The
employee and supervisor, in consultation, develop the deadlines,
projects, and work to be done. The employee plans and carries out
assignments, including the conduct of independent negotiations,
coordinating all elements of the assignment. The employee initiates
necessary coordination with program mangers, other staff and contractor
representatives. Completed work is reviewed from an overall standpoint
in terms of feasibility, compatibility and other work, or effectiveness
in meting requirements or expected results.

**[Factor 3 - Guidelines]{.underline} FL 3-4 450 points**

Guidelines include procurement laws, Federal regulations, case law and
agency contracting directives and policies. These guidelines are stated
in general terms and are of limited use. They are often inadequate in
dealing with problems, requiring ingenuity and originality in
interpreting, modifying and extending guides, techniques, and
precedents; in devising terms and conditions tailored to specific
procurements; or in balancing the application of the guidelines in
relation to novel program or technical needs, business considerations,
and the socioeconomic climate. The employee uses experienced judgment
and initiative in applying principles underlying guidelines; in
deviating from traditional techniques; or in researching trends and
patterns to develop new approaches, criteria, or proposed policies and
procedures.

**[Factor 4 - Complexity]{.underline} FL 4-5 325 points**

The work typically involves developing and implementing or reviewing
complex contracting plans for pre-award, post-award, price/cost
analysis, and/or staff functions characterized by requirements for
extensive coordination, a wide variety of procurement activity, and
unknown factors, changes or conflicts in the issues. The employee
generally leads, performs, or reviews activities related to procurement
of goods or services with specialized, critical or scarce requirements
using formal advertisement or negotiations, where competition is limited
and/or market conditions are unfavorable, and which require inclusion of
special contract provisions. Decisions involve responsiveness to
continuing changes in programs or technological developments, the
interests of contractors, statutory/regulatory requirements, and
prevailing socioeconomic climate.

**[Factor 5 - Scope and Effect]{.underline} FL 5-5 325 points**

The purpose of the work is to advise on, and develop new approaches to
resolving, a variety of complex contracting problems, projects, or
programs that affect agency-wide procurement policy or the acquisition
of operating unit or agency-wide goods/ services/ systems that are
mission-critical. Work products affect a wide range of procurement
activities and programs, contribute to the accomplishment of significant
agency or operating unit projects or programs, and have significant
economic impact on contractors or their geographic areas.

**[Factor 6 - Personal Contacts]{.underline} FL 6-3 60 points**

Contacts are with specialists and technical representatives of local and
national firms, small businesses, disadvantaged business firms,
non-profit institutions such as universities and scientific
organizations, and other suppliers; legal and technical staff from
within the agency or other agencies. Contacts occur in moderately
unstructured settings.

**[Factor 7 - Purpose of Contacts]{.underline} FL 7-3 120 points**

Internal contacts are to review, plan, develop, and advise on the
development of agency, or equivalent, strategy and policy. External
contacts are to obtain agreement on previously determined goals and
objectives through negotiation, persuasion and advocacy. Contacts are
often uncooperative and represent divergent interests.

**[Factor 8 - Physical Demands]{.underline} FL 8-1 5 points**

The work is primarily sedentary, requiring no special physical demands.

**[Factor 9 - Work Environment]{.underline} FL 9-1 5 points**

Work is performed in a typical office setting.

**Total Points = 3290**

**[Conditions of Employment and Other Requirements]{.underline}**:

The incumbent of the position is an EM employee and may be assigned to
any of the EM field locations: EM Consolidated Business Center, Richland
Operations Office, Office of River Protection, Savannah River Operations
Office, Carlsbad -- Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP),
Portsmouth-Paducah Projects Office (PPPO). The supported sites include
the various locations of the HQ EM 3.2 - Office of Site Support and
Small Projects (i.e., Brookhaven National Laboratory, Grand Junction,
Inhalation Toxicology Laboratory, Separations Process Research Unit, the
Oakland Projects Office, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Energy
Technology Engineering Center and the West Valley Demonstration
Project).  In addition, EM has projects to complete at the Chicago
Operations Office, the Idaho Operations Office, the Oak Ridge Operations
Office, and at various site offices within the DOE complex.

This position is designated for inclusion in the DOE Acquisition Career
Development Program (ACDP). Continued employment will be contingent upon
obtaining and maintaining appropriate level(s) of certification as
required. Applicants not certified may still apply and be selected for
ACDP positions, but must achieve certification within 18 months of
appointment.\
\
This position has been designated as a technical position subject to the
requirements of the Department's Technical Qualification Program (TQP).
This position is responsible for performing technical functions that are
critical to ensure EM is compliant with environmental regulations, which
is essential to the overall operations of the assigned site. This
position requires the incumbent to be competent in his/her technical
discipline as demonstrated by education, professional certification,
examination, and on-the-job performance. Employee must master the
technical competencies identified in a technical qualification standard
and requires certification of the competencies by a qualifying official.

Occasional travel may be required.

**Use as applicable:**

This position requires the incumbent to sign a mobility agreement. At
the time of site closure or when the work is no longer necessary, the
employee understands that he/she will be reassigned to a new position at
another EM site at a different geographic location.

The duties and responsibilities of this position may require the
incumbent to have access to highly classified documents and/or materials
which are related to the nuclear weapons program protected by the Atomic
Energy Act. The position demands the highest degree of public trust and
requires the incumbent to possess a DOE "L" level security clearance.

The duties and responsibilities of this position may require the
incumbent to have access to highly classified documents and/or materials
which are related to the nuclear weapons program protected by the Atomic
Energy Act. The position demands the highest degree of public trust and
requires the incumbent to possess a DOE "Q" level security clearance.

[NOTE: If a security clearance is required, you must also use the
following statement:]{.mark} This position requires a security clearance
and is subject to drug testing. The selectee must test negative prior to
being appointed to this position and will be subject to random testing
thereafter. Failure to pass subsequent tests could result in
disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the Federal
service.