Contract Specialist (Entry Level)

This is an open announcement to solicit candidates to fill positions using AFRL's Direct Hire Authority and is accepting applications from 1 Oct 2024 until 30 Sep 2025.

The DO-01 positions aim at learning the contracting field and developing the skills and expertise needed to take on more complex and strategic responsibilities. 

The Air Force Research Laboratory contracting organization supports multiple Directorates across the lab.  Its mission encompasses the discovery, development, and integration of cutting-edge warfighting technologies. Contracting specialists are at the forefront of leveraging quantitative skill sets to analyze proposals and negotiate, execute, and administer contracts.  As Mission-Focused Business Leaders, Contracting Specialists provide strategic sourcing expertise providing innovative business solutions. The ultimate goal is to enhance the capabilities of our nation’s air, space, and cyberspace forces. 

Key Skills and Abilities:

• Performs market research/analysis to determine availability of a requirement; analyzes market trends, commercial practices, conditions and technological advances and determines the sources to be solicited. 

• It applies all statutory requirements including regulations, policies, procedures, business and industry practices, market trends, and precedents for all acquisitions. 

• Exercises initiative and judgment in developing and coordinating procurement packages. Evaluates prospective contract price utilizing basic price analysis techniques. 

• Prepares recommendations for approval and award. 

• Drafts the final document, including specifications and all other special and standard clauses and enters all contractual information into a contract writing system software database for signature. 

• Must meet the for the 1102 occupational series defined in Title 10: 10 USC 1724: Contracting positions: qualification requirements (house.gov)
• Must have at least one year (52) weeks of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal system
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• United States Citizenship 
• Males must be registered for Selective Service,see www.sss.gov.
• This position is an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position. The selectee will have 24months to meet APDP requirements or a waiver must be obtained.  
• Position may be subject to random drug testing 
• In accordance with the Ethics in Government Act, 1978, employee is required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
   

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution with a 2.95 GPA
• Experience with or educational studies in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management
• The ability to communicate both orally and in writing.

(Requisition # 16795)

• This position may require travel.
• Incentives may or may not be offered.
• PCS costs may or may not be authorized.