Corporate Profile:
Acquisition Professionals (AP) LLC is a trusted strategic partner and solutions-based company that combines years of deep knowledge-based expertise, agile program management, and customized learning solutions, AP provides cradle-to-grave acquisition services and acquisition training; administrative support services; Information Technology Support Services and program and financial management. We leverage technology, tools, and industry best practices through our experienced personnel to create cross-functional results and navigate the complex and high-risk areas for our clients’ projects and programs.

Job Summary:

The Sr. Acquisition Specialist will provide comprehensive support to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Office of Acquisitions (OA) across all stages of the federal contracting lifecycle. This includes planning, awarding, administering, and closing out various contract types (e.g., Firm-Fixed Price, Cost Reimbursement, Time-and-Materials, Labor Hour) for both Research and Development (R&D) and non-R&D acquisitions. The role requires familiarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and other agency-specific guidelines, along with strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with contracting officers, program staff, and other key stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented Acquisition Specialist who has a proven record of efficiently managing the end-to-end acquisition process. This individual should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, a strong grasp of federal acquisition regulations, and the capacity to collaborate seamlessly with both technical program staff and senior contracting officers. Proactive problem-solving skills and flexibility in handling ad-hoc requests are critical to success in this role.

Responsibilities:

• Contract Planning and Preparation
  • Assist in the development of procurement documentation, including Statements of Work (SOWs), Performance Work Statements (PWS), Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), and acquisition plans.
  • Conduct market research to identify potential vendors and recommend suitable contract types.
• Solicitation and Award Support
  • Draft and review Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotes (RFQs), and Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) in alignment with the FAR and NHLBI/NIH/HHS guidelines.
  • Support the proposal evaluation process by reviewing submissions and preparing award documentation.
• Contract Negotiation Support
  • Develop negotiation memoranda and other preparatory materials to facilitate contract negotiations.
  • Assist in negotiation sessions, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition policies and NHLBI standards.
• Contract Administration
  • Monitor contract performance, tracking milestones, deliverables, and budgets to ensure adherence to contract terms and conditions.
  • Prepare and process contract modifications, extensions, and other adjustments as needed.
• Invoice and Payment Processing
  • Review and verify invoices for accuracy, compliance with contract terms, and alignment with budgetary constraints. 
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to authorize and facilitate timely payments.
• Regulatory Compliance and Reporting
  • Ensure contracts adhere to the FAR, HHS Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR), and other federal statutes.
  • Stay informed about regulatory changes and update contracts accordingly.
  • Provide support for audits, compliance reviews, and other reporting requirements.
• Ad-hoc Support and Special Projects
  • Offer flexible assistance on unique or urgent acquisition-related initiatives, such as process improvements, policy reviews, and organizational change efforts.
  • Address unanticipated contracting needs as directed by government stakeholders.

Performance Expectations:

• Communication and Responsiveness
  • Criteria: Communicate effectively and regularly with the Contracting Officer and other government stakeholders, providing prompt updates on task status and quickly resolving issues.
  • Measurement: Evaluations will be based on timeliness, clarity, and completeness of status reports, emails, and overall issue resolution.
• Compliance with Government Policies and Standards
  • Criteria: Adhere to all relevant federal regulations, policies, and standards, including the FAR, HHSAR, and agency-specific requirements.
  • Measurement: Government will review contractor's performance to ensure all policy requirements are met.  Any deviations must be promptly addressed and remedied. 

Education/Certifications:   

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Contract Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
• FAC-C (Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting) or DAWIA (Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act) Level 1 certification or other equivalent federal contracting certifications are a plus.

Required Qualifications:

• Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Contract Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Contracting Experience
  • 5–10 years of experience in federal contracting or contract management, with demonstrated knowledge of cradle-to-grave acquisition processes.
  • Familiarity with relevant federal contracting practices and policies (e.g., FAR, HHSAR).
• Experience with NIH Business System (NBS) and PRISM
  • Hands-on experience with NBS, PRISM, or equivalent government contracting management systems for contract award, administration, and performance tracking
• Certifications
  • FAC-C (Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting) or DAWIA (Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act) Level 1 certification or other equivalent federal contracting certifications are a plus.

Corporate Summary:
Acquisition Professionals (AP) LLC is an Economically Disadvantaged, Woman-Owned, 8 (A) small business. We are located at the Metropark Office Complex in Alexandria, Virginia. We offer a competitive salary and compensation benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, matching 401k, tax free transit subsidy, paid federal government holidays and paid time off. AP is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and are committed to creating an all-inclusive environment for all employees. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind.