Contract Administrator III

Marketing Statement:

Are you a public procurement professional who enjoys conducting complex solicitations from beginning to end, providing exceptional customer service, and working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment? Join WMATA’s Office of Procurement and Materials as a Contract Administrator III and be part of a high-performing team purchasing a wide range of goods and services to support the transportation system at the heart of our nation’s capital. 

In this role, you will act as a subject matter expert on acquisitions, conducting the entire procurement process from receipt of request for procurement through the cycle of solicitation, negotiation, contract award, administration and close-out.  You will be a trusted advisor for your internal customers, ensuring solicitations proceed on schedule and troubleshooting issues quickly and efficiently.

Success in this role depends on your ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships internally and externally and to conduct effective negotiations for complex contracts, contract modifications and claims.  Your excellent verbal and written communications skills will enable you to prepare clear, accurate and concise specifications, contract documents, correspondence, and other written materials. Your leadership skills will ensure success in mentoring junior Contract Administrators in the effective and efficient conduct of assigned solicitations.  If you are passionate about procurement and contracting, we invite you to join us and make a difference in the daily life of the national capital region. 

The Contract Administrator Ill job involves work of a complex nature which includes the preparation, management, award, administration and close-out of material, equipment, supply and service, professional and technical service, construction and Architecture and Engineering (A/E) contracts for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The incumbent is assigned responsibility and accountability to administer large and/or complex procurements and provides guidance to less experienced Contract Administrators. The incumbent may exercise limited contracting officer authority (up to $1M) for a wide range of contracts.

Principal Job Duties

• Performs activities and responsibilities for the entire contract life cycle from proposal to close-out on all assigned contracts.
• Plans the entire procurement process from receipt of request for procurement through the cycle of solicitation, negotiation, contract award, administration and close-out.
• Conducts the award process for assigned contracts including: preparing and/or coordinating all documentation and correspondence from publicizing procurements through award of contract; opening bids or receiving proposals; evaluation; determination of responsiveness and responsibility; resolution of bid protests and mistakes in bids; determination of price reasonableness; and preparation of award action documentation for Board of Directors approval.
• Works with customers to select the appropriate contract type for a specified effort and assists in source selection plan development.
• Explains acquisition requirements, holds discussions with customers and industry representatives concerning contract pricing and other contractual matters
• Briefs and discusses the basis of contractors' position with General Counsel, the Chief Procurement Officer, and other senior staff with support from the Contracting Officer. Advises customers on policies, business practices and contract interpretation.
• Develops technically and contractually sound pre-negotiation positions. Conducts negotiations for change orders and claims with contractors. Leads negotiations for minor modifications.

Other Duties

• May chair pre-bid and proposal conferences.
• May occasionally perform duties and assume responsibilities that are routinely assigned to Contract Administrators, TA-20 and TA-24, based on the operational needs of the department.
• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of Government procurement, including contract preparation and administration for formally advertised bids, negotiated proposals, contract modification, contract law, and cost/price analysis and profit analysis.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State and local, laws ordinances and regulations.
• Knowledge of the laws, ordinances and regulations governing WMATA procurements.
• Broad knowledge of many different contracts, solicitations, and agreement types.

Skills

• Skilled in financial and quantitative analysis to analyze contractor financial statements and perform extensive computations on cost/price data.

Abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Ability to conduct effective negotiations for complex contracts, contract modifications and claims.
• Ability to identify and select the appropriate contract type for every specified effort.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate and concise specifications, contract documents, correspondence and other written materials.
• Ability to mentor junior Contract Administrators in the effective and efficient conduct of assigned procurement actions and activities.
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local, laws ordinances and regulations.

Machine, Tools, Equipment, Software, Hardware Required

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Document management software
• Personal computers
• Printers
• PeopleSoft Enterprise Resource Software
• E-mail

Supervisory Responsibility

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
  • In lieu of a Bachelor's Degree, a high school diploma or GED and four (4) years of experience in developing and administering requests for proposals/quotations, specifications, scope of work, and different types of contracts and agreements, in addition to experience stated below will be considered.

Minimum Experience

• A minimum of four (4) years of experience in developing and administering requests for proposals/quotations, specifications, scope of work, and different types of contracts and agreements.

Minimum Certification/Licensure

• Certification from an accredited procurement program such as the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), the Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC), Institute for Supply Management (ISM), or the National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP), must be obtained within two (2) years of hire date and maintained thereafter.

Preferred Qualifications

• N/A

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known as Metro, is the region’s leading public transportation provider. Serving a 2,054-square-mile jurisdiction, Metro operates six rail lines, 98 stations, 126 bus routes, and Metro Access, a shared-ride paratransit service. As one of the nation’s busiest transit systems, Metro connects communities, supports economic growth, and provides safe, reliable transportation.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.