Contract Specialist

Serves as a senior Contract Specialist performing senior-level contracting officer duties in support of OPM's Core Human Capital Management (Core HCM) initiative, the agency's initiative to modernize federal HR IT systems. In this position you would plan, negotiate, award, and administer high-dollar, complex acquisitions and serves as expert advisor to program leadership on acquisition strategy for this mission-critical effort.

Performs cradle-to-grave contracting for large, complex IT acquisitions supporting Core HCM, including acquisition planning, solicitation, evaluation, negotiation, award, administration, and closeout. Serves as a warranted Contracting Officer (or performs duties supporting warrant issuance) with authority to obligate the government on high-dollar, high-visibility actions. Develops acquisition strategies and pre-award documents (acquisition plans, IGCEs, J&As, determinations and findings) for enterprise software, cloud services, and systems integration requirements.

Leads negotiations of contract terms, pricing, and modifications; resolves complex issues such as claims, disputes, protests, and terminations. Administers post-award activities including performance monitoring, exercise of options, incremental funding, and contractor performance evaluations (CPARS). Advises program managers, senior leadership, and stakeholders on acquisition policy, FAR compliance, and innovative contracting approaches (e.g., agile/modular contracting for IT).

Serves as a technical expert and resource for other contract specialists; reviews the work of others for legal and regulatory sufficiency.