Contract Specialist

Serves as a senior contracting advisor, providing expert cradle-to-grave acquisition support for complex and/or sensitive procurements involving advanced IT services, telecommunications systems, professional services, specialized equipment, software licensing, research support, and enterprise solutions. Develops comprehensive acquisition strategies, including market research plans, competition approaches, contract type recommendations, risk mitigation strategies, small business considerations, and socio-economic program applicability in accordance with FAR, agency supplements, and federal procurement law. Conducts extensive market research consistent with FAR Part 10 to identify market capabilities, commercial practices, contract vehicles, emerging technologies, and small business opportunities; documents findings and integrates results into acquisition planning documentation. Prepares complex solicitation packages including Statements of Work (SOW), Performance Work Statements (PWS), Statements of Objectives (SOO), evaluation criteria, Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCE) coordination, source selection plans, and pricing structures for competitive and non-competitive procurements. Executes negotiated procurements under FAR Part 15, competitive procurements under FAR Part 14, or simplified acquisitions under FAR Part 13, selecting the method most appropriate based on procurement objectives, urgency, complexity, and mission requirements. Leads or serves as a key advisor on source selection evaluation boards, interpreting evaluation criteria, advising technical evaluators on compliance requirements, and ensuring proper documentation of technical, past performance, and cost/price assessments. Conducts detailed cost and price analyses, using techniques such as cost breakdown analyses, historical pricing, parametric estimates, learning curve considerations, and comparisons with IGCEs or commercial pricing to determine price reasonableness. Recommends award decisions based on integrated assessments of technical evaluations, cost/price analyses, past performance, and business judgments; prepares award documentation and ensures compliance with fiscal law and procurement integrity requirements. Administers complex contracts and task orders, including issuance of modifications, incremental funding actions, option exercises, change orders, Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) evaluations, and subcontracts or subcontracting plan reviews. Manages contract closeout activities, confirming final deliveries, validating final invoices and indirect rates (as applicable), verifying property disposition, reconciling funds, and ensuring proper archival in accordance with federal records requirements. Advises program offices and leadership, providing authoritative guidance on acquisition strategy, FAR/DFARS or agency supplement interpretation (as applicable), competition requirements, small business policies, contract vehicle selection, and procurement timelines. Supports agency procurement policy improvements, identifying systemic issues, recommending updates to templates, SOPs, acquisition guidance, checklists, training materials, cost/price guides, or internal controls, and participating in procurement process improvement initiatives.