Contract Specialist In this paper I will discuss the various aspects of a Federal Contract Specialist position and what makes it different from many other government jobs. Some people think contracting is just shopping for a living, however, it requires great skill and attention to detail. Contract Specialists must be able to communicate effectively with their customers, vendors and other contracting personnel and they must be able to accurately interpret regulations and apply them appropriately. This position is a little bit customer service representative, a little bit personal shopper and a whole lot of legal assistant. TASKS. The Federal Contract Specialist position is responsible for a full range of contracting functions to include …show more content…
Twenty five years ago I was looking through the Help Wanted section of the paper and saw an ad for Federal Technician testing. I took the test and was hired without so much as an interview or a question except the inquiry as to whether I was still interested in the position. In foresight, the Federal test was incredibly simplistic. In hindsight it was highly specialized. There were groups of thirteen digit numbers needing to be identified by how many matched or how many did not. There were basic mathematical equations with ridiculously high numbers. There were, in my opinion, blatantly obvious grammatical questions in which the test taker picked the proper sentence out of a group. “I ain’t got none of that no how,” was an actual sentence. Surprisingly, I know people who have failed this …show more content…
The down side to the Federal Technician testing is that each employee was hired sight-unseen based on our test scores. While each and every one of us was excellent at the jobs we were hired for, there were some fairly serious personality and hygiene issues in the bunch. One of the hires weighed over 500 pounds and, though intelligent, required two plane tickets every time she traveled. Another had such repulsive personal hygiene issues that the entire office turned against her, customers wouldn’t work with her and she was ultimately asked to resign. An interview would have not only established the individual’s capabilities but would have identified those that would ultimately become a liability to the
Any employment contract providing for direct services to a Federal agency by an individual or individuals; or
The United States government is the largest single purchaser of goods and services in the world. Even during times of economic hardship, the US continues to dump billions into the private sector. The federal procurement spending rate of growth has surpassed the rate of U.S. inflation every year, since 2000. With annual federal procurement budgets of more than $400 billion, it is no surprise that the competition for government contracts has increased tremendously. Consequently, more and more companies are trying to get a piece of the action. When these companies adhere to all of the required regulations and statutes, they expect their proposals to be evaluated and the contract awarded in
Municipal Contracts are a beneficial way to permit the city to obtain qualified individuals on a temporary basis, without incurring the costs and obligations of a permanent position (M.L, Pg. 8). In order to be effective, proper research, contract development, staff education and contract management must be done prior to entering
The contract is agreement between two parties they find they have some to exchange; the power and commitment between two parties enforcement by the court, The contract have many legal details to be discussed by lawyer or expert. The contract administration, focus on the requirement for the services the company have to get when they sign a contract for new service or to get new products. In field like software consultant it is very complicated and different detailed need to focus on contract to be discussed before to sign any paper. The orientation, communication form and conference can be helpful to create good and detailed contract, all this method help the offeror and offeree to
Contractor selection and bid review: Construction Specialists will help the purchaser solicit bids from a pool of qualified contractors and assist the purchaser in reviewing and evaluating the bids in order to select a contractor for the rehab component of the project.
• Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow (Business Dictionary, 2012).
Open market and through existing and required sources using simplified acquisition techniques or formal contracting methods are the two methods used to supply goods and services to the US Government (14 FAH-2 H-200 Acquisition Basics, 2011). Simplified acquisition methods are when the aggregate, or total, amount are within the threshold and follow one of the Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 13 procedures, which include blanket-purchase agreements, purchase orders, purchase cards, or imprest funds. FAR 13.003 set the threshold value at $3000 not to exceed $150,000 in any single transaction.
Nagle, J. F., & American Bar, A. (2000). How to review a federal contract: Understanding and
Contracting officers may bind the Government only to the extent of the authority delegated to them. Contracting officers shall receive from the appointing authority clear instructions in writing regarding the limits of their authority. Information on the limits of the contracting officers’ authority shall be readily available to the public and agency personnel.” It even further explains that there is no contract shall be entered into unless the contracting officer ensures that all requirements of law, executive orders, regulations, and all other applicable procedures, including clearances and approvals, have been met. In selecting a contracting officer, the appointing official considers the dollar value of the acquisition, the complexity and the potential contracting officer’s experience, education, business acumen, character and reputation. A contracting officer is appointed in writing and states any limitations on the scope of the authority that is to be given to them. The FAR specifies that a contracting officer’s responsibility to ensure that no contract is entered into unless it meets all requirements of law, regulations and other procedures, that sufficient funds are available and that contractors receive impartial, fair and equitable treatment. Unlike the commercial sector, the FAR mandates that certain requirements be met prior to being appointed to a contracting officer. It requires that the candidate complete all mandatory contracting courses required for
When contracting it is important to include a wide verity of full-time specialist who will represent the Contracting Officer, these include software specialists, property specialist, quality assurance representatives, and others. Sometimes it is necessary to appoint also some technical representatives for specific contracts know as contracting officer representative or technical representative of the contracting officer.
"The use of warranties is not mandatory" (Subpart 46.7 - Warranties). To determine the appropriateness of a warranty for a specific acquisition the nature and use of the goods and services, warranty costs, administration and enforcement, trade warranties, and reduced requirements need to be considered. The nature and use of the goods or services need to consider the complexity and function, the degree of development, state of art, end use, difficulty of detecting defects before acceptance, and the potential harm to the government if item is defective. The cost that arises from the warranty needs to consider the contractor's charge for accepting the deferred liability created by the warranty and the government administration and enforcement of the warranty.
Contracts, business, and laws are three simple little words, but when put together they have a substantial impact on our everyday lives. Below we will discuss three case studies. The first case is between Chris, Matt, and Ian vs. Donald Margolin, who was injured when he used an aftershave lotion that he bought off the internet called Funny Face. The second case is between Sam, his landlord, and a national chain store. Sam is being accused of conducting business from his apartment and going back on a verbal promise. In the last case is two lifelong friends who decided to join in a partnership and open up a sporting goods shop. Therefore, before the appropriate court can proceed with the first case, the court should take into several considerations around the rules of jurisdiction, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and whether or not corporation/or corporate offices can be held for the criminal or potential act. In the second case before the court can rule the court should determine the various elements of a valid contract, if a quasi-contract exists, a promissory estoppel, and the rights an obligation of a tenant would prevail on Sam 's claims. Finally, in the third case between Jeb and Josh, they should determine the type of business entity that will overall protect their business and personal needs.
Just as communication is detrimental, the reviewing of a contract is equally as important. The contract review may involve legal counsel who has the skill and necessary tool set to understand contracts term of sales and payment, and all other documentation that could expose the firm and ensure that the optimal coverage has been purchased. With-in the confines of political risk, ensuring that the firm has not been exposed in such a way that could result in the loss of profit, the inability to export or import or the inability to ob-tain payment for products imported or exported.
If you are the boss, or accountable for a contractual outcome, you must understand contracts and their significance. When you comprehend what contracts mean you build your control over the circumstance, your consultants, the other party, their counsels, and the arranged results.
Contract management areas can encompass many things such as cost and price analysis, small business, competition, property issues, vehicles and machinery, contract closeouts and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. If I am accepted, I will learn