Senior Contract Specialist

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Space and Intelligence Division provides professional services to the US Space Force, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community, and NASA. Our work includes enterprise architectural assessments, systems engineering and integration, test, planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, acquisition support, and cybersecurity. We are trusted partners developing approaches and concepts to meet emerging high priority needs, assessing cutting-edge technologies, and supporting capabilities for our National Defense. Come join the fastest growing Division at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.!

The Space Systems Group (SSG), part of SPA’s Space and Intelligence Division, provides timely and objective assessments and recommendations integrating technical, operational, programmatic, policy and business analysis. We focus on our key clients in the Space community including the US Space Force’s Space Systems Command (USSF/SSC), one of the three designated Field Commands under USSF. We work tirelessly to provide integrated solutions based on information and communications throughout the chain of command. We provide clear and consistent analysis and recommendations which are aligned to strategic and leadership goals while balancing the ability to execute on time and on budget within the technical communities. Come join an organization responsible for being a key enabler of Spacepower!

Responsibilities

SPA has a need for a full-time Senior Contracting Specialist, Source Selection, & Acquisition Strategy at Los Angeles Air Force Base. The successful candidate will advise the Space Systems Command Space Combat Power contracting office (SZK) on acquisition strategy and negotiation approach. You will support source selections across a large, classified portfolio of satellite and ground programs. This is the senior contracting advisor on the task order, the person the Chief of the Contracting Office, Deputy Chief and warranted Contracting Officers turn to when a new competition must move from acquisition strategy to award on a compressed schedule.

• Support Government source selections, coordinate functional meeting requests, develop source selection plans, acquisition strategies and non-disclosure agreements, and review and draft proposal evaluations, to the extent such activities are not inherently governmental.
• Advise the Contracting Officer and contract specialists on contracting approaches, including competition strategy, contract type, and solicitation structure.
• Devise negotiation strategies and positions for the Contracting Officer to reduce cost, adjust delivery schedules, and negotiate in sole-source environments.
• Apply analytical and evaluative techniques to new acquisition requirements to support innovative, effective and efficient acquisition strategy development and implementation, draft or review acquisition plans, acquisition strategy panel materials, determinations and findings, and justifications.
• Assist Contracting Officers and contract specialists in executing contracting actions including requests for proposal, technical evaluations, contract negotiation, administration and execution, to the extent not inherently governmental
• Provide contracts guidance and determinations to program and business management teams.
• Advise management on contractual rights and obligations, risk avoidance and mitigation.
• Advise and assist on management of existing IDIQ contracts and on the development and execution of acquisition strategies for follow-on efforts.
• Support post-award activities including debriefings and protest responses.
• Help maintain complete, audit-ready contract files.

Qualifications

About the Must Haves

• Active Top Secret clearance based on a current Tier 5 investigation with SCI eligibility at time of application
• Ability to obtain Space Combat Power Special Access Program access -- Interim clearances do not qualify
• 10+ years of relevant contracting and acquisition experience at the senior level
• Master’s degree from an accredited university (no experience substitution)
• Contracting experience with FAR 8.4, 12, 13, 15 and 16.505
• Knowledge of negotiation techniques and skill in devising negotiation strategies to recommend to the Government Contracting Officer, including reducing cost, adjusting delivery schedules and negotiating in sole-source environments
• Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to new acquisition requirements to support innovative, effective, and efficient acquisition strategy development and implementation

About the Desired

• Former warranted Contracting Officer or Chief/Deputy Chief of a contracting office
• DAWIA Contracting Practitioner or Advanced (formerly Level III); Certified Contract Management Professional or equivalent
• Experience supporting Space Systems Command, Space Force, or Air Force major acquisition competitions from acquisition strategy through award
• Experience with classified or Special Access Program acquisitions

Pay Range Information

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. California, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $175,000.00/Yr. - USD $255,000.00/Yr. SPA has a need for a full-time Senior Contracting Specialist, Source Selection, & Acquisition Strategy at Los Angeles Air Force Base. The successful candidate will advise the Space Systems Command Space Combat Power contracting office (SZK) on acquisition strategy and negotiation approach. You will support source selections across a large, classified portfolio of satellite and ground programs. This is the senior contracting advisor on the task order, the person the Chief of the Contracting Office, Deputy Chief and warranted Contracting Officers turn to when a new competition must move from acquisition strategy to award on a compressed schedule.

• Support Government source selections, coordinate functional meeting requests, develop source selection plans, acquisition strategies and non-disclosure agreements, and review and draft proposal evaluations, to the extent such activities are not inherently governmental.
• Advise the Contracting Officer and contract specialists on contracting approaches, including competition strategy, contract type, and solicitation structure.
• Devise negotiation strategies and positions for the Contracting Officer to reduce cost, adjust delivery schedules, and negotiate in sole-source environments.
• Apply analytical and evaluative techniques to new acquisition requirements to support innovative, effective and efficient acquisition strategy development and implementation, draft or review acquisition plans, acquisition strategy panel materials, determinations and findings, and justifications.
• Assist Contracting Officers and contract specialists in executing contracting actions including requests for proposal, technical evaluations, contract negotiation, administration and execution, to the extent not inherently governmental
• Provide contracts guidance and determinations to program and business management teams.
• Advise management on contractual rights and obligations, risk avoidance and mitigation.
• Advise and assist on management of existing IDIQ contracts and on the development and execution of acquisition strategies for follow-on efforts.
• Support post-award activities including debriefings and protest responses.
• Help maintain complete, audit-ready contract files.

About the Must Haves

• Active Top Secret clearance based on a current Tier 5 investigation with SCI eligibility at time of application
• Ability to obtain Space Combat Power Special Access Program access -- Interim clearances do not qualify
• 10+ years of relevant contracting and acquisition experience at the senior level
• Master’s degree from an accredited university (no experience substitution)
• Contracting experience with FAR 8.4, 12, 13, 15 and 16.505
• Knowledge of negotiation techniques and skill in devising negotiation strategies to recommend to the Government Contracting Officer, including reducing cost, adjusting delivery schedules and negotiating in sole-source environments
• Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to new acquisition requirements to support innovative, effective, and efficient acquisition strategy development and implementation

About the Desired

• Former warranted Contracting Officer or Chief/Deputy Chief of a contracting office
• DAWIA Contracting Practitioner or Advanced (formerly Level III); Certified Contract Management Professional or equivalent
• Experience supporting Space Systems Command, Space Force, or Air Force major acquisition competitions from acquisition strategy through award
• Experience with classified or Special Access Program acquisitions