A leader in cutting-edge research and technology in the cyber arena, CPMG focuses on using business drivers to guide cybersecurity activities and manage risk. CPMG offers flexible, integrative solutions for Department of Defense (DoD) contractors, among others, and specializes in cybersecurity, information and operational technology, electronic security surveillance, and support services.

Summary:

The Contract Specialist role entails managing contracting processes for specialized projects like museum construction and renovations. Responsibilities include drafting contracts, coordinating contractors, conducting meetings, advising project officials, administering contracts, resolving disputes, ensuring compliance, expediting actions, and preparing procurement objectives and documents. This position is located organizationally in A/E & Construction Contracting, Procurement, Office of Contracting and Personal Property Management (OCon&PPM), Under Secretary for Administration, Smithsonian Institution (SI) in Washington, DC.

Essential Job Functions:

• Drafts, solicits, negotiates and awards contracts for highly specialized projects in one or more of the following areas: new museum research facility construction; architect/engineering services for studies, site analysis, design and engineering; renovations of historic buildings; major restoration and renovation of historic buildings.
• Performs contract planning, soliciting, negotiation, awarding, administration, and close-out.
• Coordinating a wide variety of contractors, each having unique functions relating to assigned projects.
• Chair pre-procurement meetings with officials of the requisitioning office and support offices such as the Office of Planning, Design, and Construction, Office of Facilities Maintenance and Reliability, Office of Protection Services, Office of Safety, Health and Environmental Management and Office of Chief Information
• Officer to review specifications, drawings, and work scopes.
• Establishes project schedules, determines the appropriate method of procurement and types of contracts, and develops negotiation tactics and goals.
• Oversees the activities of various panels, technical evaluation boards and other committees.
• Serves as advisor to project officials and advises them of procurement objectives to be used.
• Assists in preparation of statements of work, evaluation criteria and technical agreements.
• Acts as the overall contract administrator for assigned projects. Establishes and maintains progress and performance records.
• Provides contracting advice and guidance during contract administration concerning contract change orders, resolving contract claims and disputes  and  terminations  for  default and convenience.
• Accepts or terminates contracts. Coordinates contractual actions to ensure that SI receives the work agreed upon.
• Determines reasons for contractor experienced difficulties in meeting established delivery schedules and expedites pertinent actions to alleviate any potential bottlenecks.
• Discusses contractors’ probable cancellations and changes in requirements to determine the cost and effect of such cancellations or changes.
• Monitors production and reviews schedules, drawings, specifications, material requirements and pertinent contractual clauses to determine administrative functions to be performed Assures contractor compliance with Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act, Walsh-Healy Act, and non-discriminatory practices.
• Coordinates requests with other interested personnel for contractor changes relative to deviations from specifications, changes in inspection and actions which include approval of deviations from specifications, changes in inspections and acceptance points and deletion of items.
• Expedites inspection actions which include approval of deviations, cost increases and cost decreases to assure contractor compliance with delivery schedules and maintenance of production schedules.
• Works with the project team to identify items and services for contracting components, equipment, and services to be acquired by contract.
• Develops procurement objectives for the program in terms of competition and price range and constructs the contractual vehicle including use of pricing arrangements, subcontracting policy, set aside policies and similar considerations. Prepares and maintains current acquisition plans, appropriate milestone charts and related schedules and procurement files.
• Prepares necessary contract documents assuring the inclusion of all provisions required by law, regulation, and policy, and writes original special clauses such as proposal evaluation criteria, testing requirements, special vested rights, rights-in-data, price adjustments and costs reimbursable.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), contracting laws, regulations, General Accountability Office (GAO) principles and practices - both federal and commercial - necessary to provide authoritative advice and direction with respect to contracting for complex programs.
• Knowledge of strategic planning to assist museums, research institutes and offices in project management.
• Knowledge of the principles of acquisition planning sufficient to procure a multiyear project, program or system involving successive stages.
• Must be able to implement new developments through interpretation of regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in drafting, soliciting, negotiating, and awarding federal and commercial contracts in areas such as general goods and services; new construction; restoration and renovation of historic buildings; architecture and engineering studies and design; exhibit design and fabrication; information technology equipment, software, and services; technical services.
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to manage all contractual aspects of major programs involving the coordination of several contracts.
• Skills in long-range procurement planning, a thorough knowledge of program objectives, scheduling, and inter-relationships among other programs.
• Knowledge and skill necessary to formulate and establish negotiation plans, techniques and goals and the ability to apply this knowledge in leading negotiating teams comprised of SI management, legal and technical personnel and in dealing with business, industry and government officials.
• Knowledge of contract administration and termination techniques sufficient to monitor contracts which extend over several years.
• These types of contracts typically require monitoring the performance of the prime contractor and many subcontractors, complex changes and terminations and contract close outs.
• Knowledge of contract administration procedures including change orders, contract terminations, contractor claims or disputes and execution of settlement agreements.
• Knowledge of contract price and cost analysis techniques sufficient to develop complex contractual pricing arrangements and incentives, such as: (1) devising multiple incentives requiring use of sophisticated contracting techniques; (2) sharing arrangements, such as cost-plus incentive fee or fixed price incentive fees, where SI and contractor share the cost risk; or (3) economic price adjustment clauses that identify the basis for adjusting certain labor or material costs where price cannot be reasonably predicted at the time of contract negotiations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree OR any equivalent combination of experience, training, and/or education.
• Four (4) years of experience in similar role.
• Experience in contract management, with a focus on highly specialized projects such as new museum research facility construction, architect/engineering services, renovations of historic buildings, and major restoration and renovation of historic buildings.
• Demonstrated expertise in drafting, soliciting, negotiating, and awarding contracts.
• Strong understanding of contract planning, administration, and close-out processes.
• Ability to successfully pass a background check.

Pay and Benefits
At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.