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# Contract Specialist

        - They work diligently to understand contractual requirements and the needs of diverse stakeholders.
        - Often the guidance they provide to decision-makers is the difference between correct and potentially incorrect actions.
        - Through thorough research and collaboration, Contract Specialists develop accurate and complete descriptions of needs.
        - Their documentation of final award decisions is thorough and unbiased.
        - Using their contractual, procedural knowledge, Contract Specialists communicate steps in the competitive and award process so that internal and external stakeholders understand their roles.
        - On occasion, their role goes beyond the final award as they work with various program offices on the day to day administration of contracts, including the proper and correct payment of invoices and vouchers based on the assessment of reasonableness of costs.
        - They assist key officials to better understand the legality of actions over the life of a contract.
        - Working in Acquisitions at the NRC

#### Skill set consistently found in this position

                      - Incumbents have incredible ethical resolve.
                      - They are dependable, honest, and fair in their approach to all contractual tasks, from announcement through award.
                      - Their impartiality in decision-making is a behavioral strength.
                      - They are clear communicators and excellent listeners.
                      - Contract Specialists are continually aware of changes to regulations and procedures that impact their overall duties.
                      - They understand the need for accuracy and clarity and the need to be conduits of information for both internal and external stakeholders.
                      - Timeliness of actions is a given in all aspects of their task accomplishments.
                      - They understand that their performance is measured on their ability to bring issues to closure.
                      - Incumbents are collaborators, problem solvers and individual and team-based communicators.
                      - They have an outstanding ability to participate in negotiations that result in mutual agreements on acquisition-related matters.
                      - Incumbents enjoy the challenge of doing the planning and research necessary to provide prospective bidders with complete and accurate information and the award process that results in the delivery of products or services that will enable NRC to fulfill its short- and long-term mission goals and objectives.

#### Career level of this position

#### Major duties and responsibilities

                      - Plans, researches, analyzes, negotiates and manages solicitations, including the actual award and post-award of contracts and procurements.
                      - Helps administer contracts following award, including advising on payment of invoices and vouchers based on assessments of costs associated with claims.
                      - Advises agency management
                      - Uses agency management systems and tools
                      - Performs research that contributes to the legality of contract competitions and awards as well as post-award procurement actions
                      - Analyzes facts, draws conclusions, presents alternatives
                      - Prepares studies and reports
                      - Presents problem-solving options
                      - Participates in procurement review matters
                      - Coordinates input and collaborates with internal and external parties
                      - Makes oral and written presentations

#### Locations

                      - Headquarters—Offices/Divisions, Rockville, MD

#### Qualities contributing to success in the role

                      - Planning ability
                      - Research ability
                      - Analytical and evaluative abilities
                      - Organizational ability
                      - Attention to detail
                      - Ability to self-manage
                      - Ability to define a scope of work
                      - Ability to resolve contractual/procurement issues in a fair and impartial manner
                      - Oral and Written Communication skills
                      - Interpersonal skill
                      - Negotiations skill
                      - Knowledge of the principles and techniques of procurement actions
                      - Skill in presenting, informally and formally, information and recommendations
                      - Effective listening ability
                      - Skill in maintaining effective working relationships
                      - Knowledge of agency contractual/procurement management programs
                      - Knowledge of sources of supplies and services
                      - Skill in use of modern computer software and agency procurement/acquisition systems for reporting and extracting data

#### Route to or from this position

                      - Procurement Analyst
                      - Program Analyst
                      - Financial Analyst
                      - Management Analyst
                      - Budget Analyst
                      - Senior Contract Specialist
                      - Branch Chief
                      - Team Lead

Current NRC Vacancies

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Monday, January 29, 2024

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Page Last Reviewed/Updated Monday, January 29, 2024