Deputy Head of Contracting Activity

ABOUT THE POSITION The Deputy HCA advises and assists the HCA, DAS for Acquisitions, ASFR senior staff, and DHHS STAFFDIVs and OPDIVs on acquisition-related issues and serves as a senior accountable executive for procurement matters under the incumbent's purview. Provides leadership for executing OMAS procurement programs. Exercises limited delegated authority from the HCA to oversee enterprise procurement operations across OMAS and serve as Acting HCA in the absence of the HCA, as designated.

Oversees execution of strategic buying and category management-aligned acquisition strategies supporting HHS Mission, Information Technology (IT), and Professional Services portfolios. Ensures acquisition execution complies with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), HHS Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR), OMB guidance, Executive Orders, and Departmental acquisition policy. Serves as an Accountable Executive for the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on all procurement-related matters under the incumbent's areas of responsibility.

Oversees and drives strategic planning and category management execution. Provides executive vision and authority on Federal acquisition modernization, Government-wide Category Management (GWCM), and shared services execution. Advises the DAS and DHHS leadership on Department-wide acquisition strategy, GWCM implementation, and procurement optimization opportunities.

Directs operations to ensure alignment of acquisition strategies with GWCM Tier 1 and Tier 2 solutions, where appropriate, while balancing mission needs, competition, and best-value outcomes. Manages OMAS's shared services acquisition portfolio and customer engagement strategies, service delivery models, and acquisition support frameworks to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery to DHHS customers. Directs analysis of procurement spend, acquisition performance data, and operational metrics to drive improved affordability, competition, and value for the American people.

Develops, interprets, and implements acquisition policies, procedures, and internal controls necessary to maintain efficient, ethical, and effective procurement operations. Applies sound risk management principles to balance appropriate oversight with timely mission execution. Represents OMAS and HHS in Departmental and interagency acquisition forums, councils, and working groups, including those related to GWCM and strategic sourcing.

Oversees development and execution of procurement governance frameworks, performance management systems, and continuous improvement initiatives. Serves as the OMAS Competition Advocate, promoting full and open competition consistent with FAR requirements and DHHS policy. Identifies and addresses barriers to competition, including vendor concentration, restrictive requirements, and acquisition process inefficiencies.

Advises the HCA, DAS, and senior DHHS leadership on competition trends, risks, and opportunities to strengthen the Department's industrial base and acquisition outcomes.

Basic Requirements: Applicants must meet the basic requirement for this position. A. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher level contracting positions, including at least 4-years experience in contracting or related positions.

At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position. AND B. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by 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.

NOTE: To validate that you meet the educational requirement for this job series, please submit a copy of your transcript. Failure to submit your transcript will make you ineligible for this position. C.

Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.

D. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver.

If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a credential evaluation service that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

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You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education (if applicable).

Your application will be rated and ranked by an Executive Resources Board (ERB) Panel, comprised of at least three SES members, using only the information required within the application package. Applicants who do not demonstrate in their application sufficient possession of the ECQs and TQs will be determined ineligible for further consideration. Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted.

If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the ECQs and TQs listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed.

Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible).

Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, research emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats. Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders.

Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement. Preferred Experience: Prior supervisory experience required; Prior experience with HHS programs preferred. Salary: Salary for SES positions varies depending on qualifications.

The annual salary range may be found at the top of this announcement.

This position may be eligible for performance bonuses and performance-based pay adjustments. Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure HHS inspires public confidence by maintaining high ethical principles, and all Federal Government employees are subject to the conflict-of-interest statutes and regulations, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct, that govern activities with outside organizations and reporting financial holdings. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 also requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to If applying online poses a hardship to you, you may submit your application by contacting. BreAnna Stewart in the agency contact section. Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the POC in the agency contact section. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Veteran's Preference Veteran's Preference does not apply to the SES.

Selective Service Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from selective service see: https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

You must submit the complete online application and documentation specified in the Required Documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the CLOSING DATE 04/21/2026 of this announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application.

You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package.

You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted.

Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position.

Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.

Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.

A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible). Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.

1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the SES must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility. SESCDP GRADUATES: Must provide verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.

CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee. COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation.