Pathfinder Consultants is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) based in Washington, DC. Pathfinder is looking for a candidate to fill a Contract Specialist position for a new contract supporting for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) providing contract support services. Work location is 5202 Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick, MD  21703 with telework allowable.

Responsibilities and Duties:

The Contractor shall provide acquisition and BPA management life cycle support for Acquisition Service 5 and 6 (AS5/AS6) per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR), Procurement Policy Memorandums (PPMs), guides, public laws, and statutes. The Contractor shall provide acquisition expertise, support, and guidance in pre-and post-award functions. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Prepare contracting action packages for peer, clearance, and other procedural oversight reviews. Input contracting information into the electronic contracting system and ensure current and accurate data.
• Review of modification packages (unilateral, options, bilateral) to ensure consistency across all contracts to accomplish the necessary change. Suggested corrections are sent back to CO or CS
• Review change order proposals and make recommendations to the Government regarding the adequacy of proposals.
• Assisting government in support of change order negotiations.
• Perform contract management and administration, including modifications, correspondence, internal documentation, reports, etc.
• Assisting with other contractual actions required to ensure overall management of current contracts in a timely, accurate and effective manner in compliance with FAR, VAAR, and applicable Contracting Office internal processes and procedures.
• Perform contract closeout to include identifying eligible closeouts, working with eligible contract owners to ensure the file is ready to be moved (final CPARs in the briefcase, invoices paid, etc.), working with Closeout POC to move ready files
• Provide accurate responses to data calls and requests for information from management within the required timeframes.
• Provide administrative support, including typing, meeting facilitation, filing distribution of reports, data entry, preparation of presentations, meeting scheduling, and other administrative duties to include participation in various working groups.
• Contract Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) support (e.g., coordinate with customers to complete the forms, upload past performance information into the system after CO approval, act as CPARS , keep track of all contracts requiring a report, etc.)
• Analyze, review, and provide recommendations on subcontracting plans for coordination with OSDBU
• Track electronic subcontracting reporting system submissions and deliverable management Investigate reports of contract discrepancies/performance
• Upload files and distribute contract documents to the appropriate repositories/end users
• Review and prepare contract notices (i.e., advise customers of the appropriate timeline to ensure follow-on contract actions are initiated so as not to have a gap in service and let customers know their contracts are ending in 6 months or more).
• Assist with requirements validations for contract consolidations.
• Options management (e.g., keep track of contracts, sending out notices, working with customers to get a FORCE request and funding uploaded.)
• Prepare and update contract action taskers, reports, Program Management Review (PMR) slides, Item Master Schedules (IMS), and provide leadership with routine contract action updates
• Electronic Contracting Management System (eCMS) briefcase/folder management (i.e., ensure documents are loaded, tagged, and titled correctly in briefcase)
• Provide audit support (i.e., Review monthly vendor reports and compare against
• Monthly eCERT reports, check eCERT monthly summaries for accuracy and completeness, conduct invoice reviews, and assist in COR surveillance).
• Support other pre/post-award contract tasks as required. The Contractor shall provide recommendations, support the implementation of improvements/efficiencies within the acquisition process, and utilize multiple forums, including, but are not limited to, the Internet, Microsoft SharePoint, and other electronic suppositories. All document changes shall be made using “track changes” and presented to Government personnel for review and action. All documents and information will be prepared and coordinated with Government input and direction to ensure that the documentation meets the goals and objectives of the supported office. Inherently Governmental Functions as identified in FAR Subpart 7.503 are prohibited and will only be provided by a VA-appointed, warranted CO. Contractor personnel shall be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

• Experience: The Contract Specialist shall have a minimum of four (4) to ten (10) years of experience relevant to delivery of healthcare (services/commodities) in developing procurement request packages, supporting program office activities pertaining to solicitations for evaluation and award, and supporting program office activities related to BPA/Contract administration.
• Education: BA/BS Degree, however Four (4) years of relevant experience with a high school diploma may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.  Two (2) years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree may be substituted for a master’s degree. Three (3) years of relevant experience with a master’s degree may be substituted for a Doctorate.
• Certification: Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level II/ Defense Acquisition Workforce Improve Act (DAWIA) Level II or industry equivalent.