Contract Specialist

Summary

The mission of the Antitrust Division is to promote competition by enforcing the antitrust laws to protect economic freedom and opportunity on behalf of the American people. The Antitrust Division has openings for Contract Specialists to join its dedicated team and gain invaluable experience working in the public interest to protect the competitive process. Are you ready to contribute to matters of national importance that promote a competitive and productive American economy?

Duties

• This position is located in the Acquisitions Management Section (AMS) of the Executive Office (EXO) within the Antitrust Division (ATR). EXO is a very dynamic and fast-paced office, delivering professional management services that power ATR's people and mission. Within EXO, AMS is responsible for providing Division services, guidance, and responsible stewardship of resources, by complying with all Federal regulations, along with Department and Division policies that govern acquisition. As a Contract Specialist, you will: Complex Information Technology Acquisitions - Analyze sources for the products or services to be procured. Procure products and services using negotiation techniques. Professional Services, Expert Witness, and Litigation Support Acquisitions - Monitor outstanding contracts to ensure satisfactory progress, to assure compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract, and to identify problems that threaten contractor performance. Strategic Acquisition Planning and Customer Engagement - Provide procurement advice and assistance to program managers, technical and financial specialists, co-workers, and/or others on contract or procurement policies, problems, or issues. Conducts pre-proposal conference(s) with prospective contractor(s) to arrive at a clear understanding of what is required under the proposed contract. End-to-End Contracting and Acquisition Leadership - Perform work related to the review, analysis, and/or interpretation of procurement policy, concepts, guidance, or procedures for use in the solution of problems or the accomplishment of projects or programs. Solicit, evaluate, negotiate, administer, award, analyze, advise on, and/or terminate contracts for the procurement of supplies and services. Please note: Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the Basic Educational Requirements AND Specialized Experience Requirements. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Qualifications Standard for the Contracting Series, 1102 GS-12: A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; OR 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. GS-13: 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 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. 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. 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. The incumbent must possess a current Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting, FAC-C (Professional). SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Specialized experience is experience that has provided you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position as described above, and that is typically in or related to this position being filled. GS-12: To qualify for this position at the GS-12 level, your resume must reflect at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing all of the following: Planning, awarding, and administering complex federal acquisitions for information technology (IT) products (such as cloud services, software licensing, cybersecurity, systems integration, or enterprise IT solutions) and services; and procuring professional services (such as expert witnesses, economic consultants, litigation support services, technical subject matter experts, or other specialized professional services) in support of mission-critical operations; Advising customers on procurement strategies and contract vehicles, identifying acquisition risks, developing milestone schedules, and recommending innovative, compliant acquisition solutions that improve procurement outcomes while balancing cost, schedule, and performance considerations in accordance with federal acquisition regulations; and Managing a portfolio of acquisitions from acquisition planning through contract closeout including negotiations contract terms and modifications, resolving contractual issues and monitoring performance and compliance. GS-13: To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level, your resume must reflect at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level performing all of the following: Planning, awarding, and administering complex federal acquisitions for information technology (IT) products (such as cloud services, software licensing, cybersecurity, systems integration, or enterprise IT solutions) and services; and procuring complex professional services (such as expert witnesses, economic consultants, litigation support services, technical subject matter experts, or other specialized professional services) in support of mission-critical operations; Providing expert-level guidance to customers on procurement strategies and contract vehicles, identifying acquisition risks, developing milestone schedules, and recommending innovative, compliant acquisition solutions that improve procurement outcomes while balancing cost, schedule, and performance considerations in accordance with federal acquisition regulations; Independently managing a portfolio of complex acquisitions from acquisition planning through contract closeout including leading negotiations contract terms and modifications, resolving contractual issues and monitoring performance and compliance. Demonstrating mastery of contracting methods and contract types, qualitative and quantitative assessments of contract effectiveness. IMPORTANT: A full year of work is 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited based on time spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Applicants MUST submit a copy of transcripts with your application. An unofficial transcript is acceptable to qualify, but it must include your full name, name of the school, the date and degree awarded (if conferred), and the list of classes, grades and credits earned. You will be required to submit an official transcript prior to appointment if you are selected. All academic degrees and course work must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Click here to check accreditation. *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 private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been 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. *All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to be considered for this position. You must undergo a pre-employment security investigation. You may be required to take and successfully clear a drug test. You must submit a complete application package by the closing date of this announcement. SELECTIVE SERVICE: All male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service (see SSS.gov). If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law. DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. This is a full-time, non-supervisory permanent appointment in the competitive service that may be extended up to 4 years at the option of the agency, subject to a one-year probationary period in accordance with 5 C.F.R. 315.801. The Antitrust Division participates in the E-Verify program. The incumbent must possess a current Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting, FAC-C (Professional), see www.fai.gov for more information.

Evaluations

Your application will be evaluated under DOJ's Merit Promotion Plan and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualifications for the position listed in this announcement. Please note: Basic qualifications will be determined based on a comparison of your resume against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in the position requirements. Applicants will be required to complete a USA Hire Assessment. The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. If you are found to be qualified for this position, your resume and supporting documentation will be further assessed and compared to the responses of your occupational/assessment questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive will be based on your responses to the questionnaire. The rating is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the competencies required for this position, and will determine the rank in which you place (Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Best Qualified). The "Best Qualified" candidates will be contacted to submit a job market paper or relevant writing sample prior to being referred for selection. Your application will be further assessed based upon the following competencies: Attention to Detail Compliance Contracting/Procurement Cost Estimation and Analysis Critical and strategic thinking Customer Service Influencing/Negotiating Oral Communication Product Evaluation Project Management Written Communication If after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully as errors or omissions may affect your rating. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Performance Appraisals and Awards You will receive an additional point added to your final score for a fully successful or higher performance rating. An additional point will also be added to your final score for any one performance award received within the past three years that relates to the position for which you are applying. Please provide only one recent award. To receive credit, you must provide a copy of your performance rating and a copy of your performance award SF-50.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 08/31/2026 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 your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started. 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. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Please note: Applications mailed using government postage and/or internal federal government mailing systems are in violation of agency and postal regulations and will not be accepted. These instructions outline our application process. You must complete the online application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, you must contact us by noon ET on the announcement's closing date. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Jennifer Snyder by email at [email protected] or by phone at 2025988069 to obtain an alternative application. If you require a reasonable accommodation for disability during any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Karen Jung by phone at 202-514-8885 or by email at [email protected]. The Antitrust Division provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. You must contact us by 5:00 p.m. ET on the announcement's closing date to request accommodation. Callers with hearing or speech impairment can access their state's telecommunications relay service (TRS) to make TTY calls by dialing 7-1-1. Ms. Jung is not the point of contact for questions about the vacancy announcement. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. USA Hire Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request an RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. To determine if you need an RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.

What to expect next

Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the announcement closes, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications based on the application we receive. Ranking will be determined based on responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30 to 60 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes: 1. A copy of your resume or equivalent - Applicants will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in their resume and cover letter. Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences, as represented in their resume, clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position, and the competencies and technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. A cover letter is optional. RESUME REQUIREMENTS - ALL APPLICANTS: Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. You must submit a resume supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire. The federal government has very specific resume requirements. If you have not written a federal resume before, you may want to read through a helpful Resume Writing FAQ on the USAJOBS Help Site to learn what details you should, and should not, include in your resume. A CV (curriculum vitae) may not contain enough information to meet these resume requirements. Your resume should list all work experience (paid and unpaid); you must list the full name and address of each employer. For all types of work experience, indicate the start and end date (include month and year); you must also list the average number of hours per week that you worked. Your resume should also include any education and training you have completed (list the program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date). 2. A completed assessment questionnaire. A preview is available here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13033788 3. A copy of your transcript - If there is a basic education requirement, you are qualifying based on education, or a combination of education and experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript. While unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application, an official transcript will ultimately be required if you are selected for the position. 4. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal service) which shows type of service appointment, tenure group, grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form, which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF50s include Promotions, Within Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s over one year old). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. 5. Most Recent Performance Appraisal (if current federal employee). 6. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, documenting receipt of a Performance Award received within the last 3 years (if applicable). 7. Documentation of eligibility for special hiring authorities (if applicable) to prove appointment eligibility. Examples include Schedule A disability letter, Peace Corps volunteer letter and: Documentation of eligibility for CTAP and ICTAP (if applicable) - You must provide written notification of your eligibility for CTAP and/or ICTAP; your most recent Performance Appraisal, and your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. 8. Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable) - If you are entitled to or claim veterans' preference (VP), you should indicate the type of veterans' preference (5-point, 10-point, or 0-point sole survivorship) you are claiming on your resume. In order to determine your eligibility, you can find additional information online. If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character discharge (Member Copy-4), or other documentation of service and separation under honorable conditions. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty under honorable conditions, 2) character of service, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or mother or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a completed SF-15 and all additional proof required by the SF-15, as applicable. If you don't have your Department of Veterans Affairs letter establishing proof of disability, you may request it online or call 1-800-827-1000.

Other information

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is online. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over candidates from other agencies for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority over other applicants who are not employees of the Department of Justice if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is online. NOTE: To verify your veterans' preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. (1) If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 in addition to the supporting documentation required and identified on the reverse side of the SF-15, Application for 10 Point Veterans' Preference OR a VA letter that shows dates of service or service-connected disability AND character of service. (2) If you are claiming 10-point DERIVED PREFERENCE as a relative you must submit Member Copy 4 of the veteran's DD-214, and an SF-15, Application for 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the supporting documentation required and identified on the reverse side of this form. If you fail to do so, you will receive consideration as a non-veteran. DOJ EEO Statement/Policy OPM Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement Veterans' Information Legal and Regulatory Guidance