Contract Specialist II – Federal Acquisition Support

The Contract Specialist II will provide acquisition and procurement support services to the CDC Office of Acquisition Services. This position will support the full acquisition lifecycle, including pre-award planning, market research, solicitation preparation, evaluation support, award documentation, contract administration, modifications, de-obligations, procurement file organization, and status reporting.

The successful candidate will have strong cradle-to-grave federal contracting experience and the ability to prepare accurate, professional, and compliant acquisition documentation for Government review. The Contract Specialist II will work closely with Contracting Officers, Contracting Officer’s Representatives, program offices, vendors, and other acquisition stakeholders to support timely execution of procurement actions.

This role requires strong knowledge of federal acquisition regulations, procurement file standards, contract writing systems, and acquisition support best practices.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Award Acquisition Support

• Support pre-award acquisition activities for assigned requirements.
• Gather and analyze historical procurement information and current market or industry information.
• Assist with market research documentation and acquisition planning.
• Support development of acquisition strategies, procurement timelines, and required file documentation.
• Provide advice and support related to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Assist with obtaining required reviews, approvals, and acquisition documentation.
• Attend meetings with OAS and program office stakeholders related to assigned workload.
• Respond to acquisition data calls and information requests.

Solicitation Development & Procurement Documentation

• Develop, edit, and prepare procurement documents for Government review.
• Support preparation of Requests for Proposals, Requests for Quotes, Invitations for Bids, combined synopsis/solicitations, determinations and findings, memoranda for file, checklists, and related acquisition documentation.
• Assist with pre-solicitation and solicitation notices for posting through appropriate procurement channels.
• Support procurement activity through platforms such as SAM.gov, GSA eBuy, NITACC, NASA SEWP, GWACs, and agency procurement sites.
• Support documentation and communication for procurements involving the Small Business Administration 8(a) Business Development Program.
• Assist with entry of procurement information and documentation into small business review systems as required.
• Support pre-proposal conferences and other acquisition meetings.

Evaluation, Award & Source Selection Support

• Provide acquisition support after receipt of offers or quotes.
• Assist with controlling vendor communications, as directed by Government personnel.
• Support technical and past performance evaluation discussions.
• Assist with scoring, ranking, and documentation of offers and quotes.
• Prepare business and pricing analyses for offers or quotes.
• Assist with identifying negotiation objectives and documenting discussion or negotiation results.
• Support preparation of source selection recommendations and award documentation.
• Organize award files and materials to facilitate Government review.
• Assist with award notices, unsuccessful offeror notifications, and debriefing or feedback documentation.

Post-Award Contract Administration

• Support post-award contract administration activities.
• Attend kickoff meetings as required.
• Assist with unilateral and bilateral modifications.
• Prepare administrative modifications and supporting documentation.
• Support notices of intent to exercise options.
• Ensure accurate terms and conditions are included in award and modification documents.
• Provide acquisition support to program officials and contractors on contract administration matters.
• Support de-obligation actions across various contract types, including firm-fixed-price and cost-type contracts.

Contract File Management & Reporting

• Create and maintain digital/electronic procurement file folders for purchase orders, task orders, contracts, and modifications.
• Ensure procurement files are complete, accurate, professional, and properly organized.
• Submit digital/electronic files within required timeframes after completion of acquisition actions.
• Support monthly progress reports, weekly status reports, bi-weekly update meetings, and procurement status tracking.
• Provide procurement request status, number of actions completed, PALT data, and related workload metrics.
• Maintain organized records of assigned actions, pending issues, in-transit files, and estimated delivery dates.

Compliance & Quality Control

• Ensure acquisition documents comply with FAR, HHSAR, CDC policies, procurement templates, and contract file requirements.
• Review work products for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and professional quality.
• Identify documentation gaps and assist in correcting acquisition file deficiencies.
• Support continuous improvement in acquisition processes, templates, reporting, and file quality.
• Maintain professional, ethical, and customer-focused support across all acquisition activities.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in cradle-to-grave contracting.
• Current or previous FAC-C certification or civilian equivalent.
• Experience supporting federal acquisition and procurement operations.
• Knowledge of FAR, HHSAR, and federal acquisition policies.
• Experience preparing acquisition documentation, solicitation materials, award packages, modifications, and contract files.
• Experience supporting pre-award, award, and post-award procurement actions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple procurement actions simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous CDC, HHS, or federal health agency acquisition support experience.
• Previous Integrated Contracts Expert (ICE) experience.
• Experience using federal contract writing and procurement systems.
• Experience with GSA eBuy, SAM.gov, NITACC, NASA SEWP, GWACs, 8(a), and small business procurement processes.
• Experience supporting time-sensitive or high-volume procurement environments.
• Experience preparing PALT reports, procurement status reports, and contract file compliance documentation.
• NCMA CFCM, CPCM, FAC-C, DAWIA, or related acquisition certification preferred.

Required Skills

• Cradle-to-grave contracting
• Federal acquisition support
• Pre-award procurement
• Solicitation development
• Market research
• Source selection support
• Award documentation
• Contract modifications
• De-obligations
• Contract file management
• FAR / HHSAR compliance
• Procurement systems support
• Status reporting
• Customer service
• Written communication