Summary

Contracting officers are responsible for ensuring performance of all necessary actions for effective contracting, ensuring compliance with the terms of the contract, and safeguarding the interests of the United States in its contractual relationships. In order to perform these responsibilities, contracting officers should be allowed wide latitude to exercise business judgment.

Job Description

• Responsible for all aspects of contract administration throughout the complete contract life cycle – creation, fulfillment maintenance and closure of all assigned contracts in cooperation with Contract Managers;

• Collaborates with stakeholders in preparing statements of work (SOW) and other terms and conditions of a solicitation;

• Coordinates sourcing, purchasing and, if applicable, inventory functions, with both WSSC and supplier personnel on-site – depot or work location – including both strategic sourcing and tactical/operational matters;

• May exercise procurement officer authority for a wide range of contracts;

• Leads the pre-award contracting process, including participation in determining the method of procurement, establishing solicitation requirements, determining type of contract and terms and conditions; and, the post award contracting process, including instructions for prevailing wage rates, invoicing, claims, and web-based compliance applications;

• Works closely with Contract Managers to resolve irregularities or other problems in the procurement process and protests;

• Collaborates with Contract Managers to monitor suppliers’ compliance with deliverables as well as monitoring progress reports and work plans;

• Ensures that suppliers properly correct all defects and omissions;

• Manages more difficult, complex contract issues that involve disputes, modifications, claims, and close-outs. Advises General Counsel, Chief Procurement Officer, COR Group Leader, and other senior staff of contractors’ positions pertaining to disputes.

• Informs the COR Group Leader, CPO and/or Procurement Office of work that is accepted or rejected;

• Works closely with the Director of the Small Local Minority Business Enterprise (SLMBE) Office and the Procurement Office SLMBE Support Manager to ensure Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) goals are properly established on all assigned projects.

• Assists in updating WSSC procurement policy and operating procedures with focus on maintaining the integrity of the contract process. Enforces compliance with requirements contained therein;

• Represents the Procurement Office at technical meetings;

• Handles special assignments and projects as necessary;

• Thorough understanding of the requirements of an assigned contract;

• Prepares quarterly reports for the purpose of providing status of performance of contracts to the Procurement Office;

• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of public procurement, including contract law, regulations, accounting principles, cost analysis techniques, and administrative management;

• Experience in leading cross-functional teams across an organization to initiate, plan and execute complicated, multi-threaded, strategic and technical projects to successful completion;

• Knowledge of engineering, production, customer care, IT, or staff functions;

• Strong organizational and project management skills;

• Knowledge of analytical techniques (continuous improvement) to conduct studies, analyze findings, and make recommendations concerning effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity;

• Knowledge of contract administration principles and practices necessary to monitor contractor performance and resolve disputes;

• Excellent interpersonal skills are required to manage relationships within WSSC and with suppliers and/or subcontractors;

• Ability to lead negotiation teams in negotiating prices, terms and conditions, and settlement for competitively negotiated contracts and for the resolution of complex change orders and claims;

• Ability to analyze contractor financial statements and perform extensive computations on cost/price data analysis, including review of cost breakdowns to determine reasonableness;

• Ability to manage and coordinate multiple contracts concurrently;

• Knowledge of purchasing information technology and automated data processing applications;

• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and adjust to changing priorities;

• Ability to write clear and concise reports, memorandum directives, and letters;

• Ability to effectively communicate and make presentations to a wide variety of audiences;

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with senior management, private contractors, and procurement staff.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, construction management, business, information technology, public administration, or a related discipline;

• Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in procurement and contract administration.

• Certifications are a plus