Job Summary

The Procurement Specialist will provide technical assistance, training and counseling to clients in a designated region of the State, advising clients how to identify potential contracting opportunities and obtain contracts with the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, state and/or local governments and prime government contractors. The position will work directly with the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Program Manager in planning a strategy for the region, collaborating with various resource partners and coordinate targeted outreach to enhance points of entry for small business concerns into the defense market, creating a positive and measurable impact to the Massachusetts economy.

Essential Functions

• Provide confidential, individualized procurement counseling with businesses interested in selling their products and/or services to federal, state and local government agencies and major prime contractor markets; responds to client questions; help interpret moderate to complex proposal/bid documents and contract modifications; review client proposals often under time-sensitive situations; guide clients through the process of registering with government agencies and how to find government contract opportunities and effectively market their products and/or services to government agencies; advises clients on applicable federal and state certifications clients may be eligible for. Advise PTAC clients about the advantages and disadvantages associated with teaming arrangements and the various regulations governing subcontracting and joint ventures. Remain current with changes in acquisition laws, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and various agency FAR Supplements as well as state and local procurement regulations.
• Develop seminar/event schedule on relevant topical procurement matters, marketing the various procurement and contracting topics the seminar workshop events are designed to focus on, as well as program services; coordinate training presenters, event locations, marketing materials; handle all other aspects of training events; represent PTAC program to potential clients through attendance at events; Assist with the development of government contracting presentations, workshops and outreach events. Lead government contracting workshops and provides formal presentations to small businesses and external constituents within the PTAC’s service area.
• Record all interactions and events in client activity tracking system database in compliance with cooperative agreement; maintain accurate electronic records for all counseling sessions, workshops, client surveys, client awards & client success stories and administrative actions in support of the PTAC mission. Manage performance goals for new clients, counseling time and participated events and high ratings on client satisfaction surveys.
• Consult with clients at their place of business and/or at outreach centers, travel locally, regionally for targeted industry trade shows and business matchmaking and occasional overnight travel for annual professional development.
• Verify PTAC clients business capabilities, identify appropriate business codes and key words related to the client’s goods and/or services and develop tailored client bid match profiles utilizing Boolean logic, to deliver appropriate bid matches from the PTAC’s Bid Matching service provider. Educate and assist clients on the use of various government databases for government contracting such as SAM.gov, Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) and Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS).
• Advise clients on Department of Defense (DoD) Cybersecurity requirements, related proposal evaluation factors.
• Utilize various University enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as Peoplesoft and Oracle, and client software platforms (Neoserra) related to job functions in support of the cooperative agreement.
• Pursue, develop and maintain positive working relationships with economic development, government agencies, and various business resource partner groups.

 Other Functions

• Assist in other job related duties as assigned by the PTAC Program Manager.

 Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Advanced degree in business, law or other related discipline with four years government contracting/procurement advising, extensive experience marketing products and services to federal, state and local government agencies, working knowledge of federal and state procurement regulations and procedures; OR bachelor’s degree in business, law or other related discipline with five years government contracting/procurement advising, extensive experience marketing products and services to federal, state and local government agencies, working knowledge of federal and state procurement regulations and procedures.
• Must obtain Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) Certification within 3 years.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, internet applications, familiarity with video teleconferencing platforms and client activity tracking databases with Boolean logic bid matching.
• Must have strong written and verbal skills and be able to present to small & large audiences.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and work cooperatively in a team setting.
• Ability to work independently and within deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple projects/tasks in a dynamic work environment.

 Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) certification. 

 Work Schedule

Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm.

 Salary Information

Level 27

PSU Salary Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references by October 15, 2019 to ensure priority consideration. The position may remain open until filled. 

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.