Contract Specialist

Contract Specialist JourneymanBridge Defense is redefining how modern defense technology is delivered. Based in Washington, D.C., we are built for the dynamic mission environment facing the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and federal law enforcement agencies. We provide full-spectrum national security solutions that combine secure infrastructure, cleared talent, and mission-ready software to meet evolving defense challenges.Our services include secure software development in classified environments and the design and implementation of advanced IT and cybersecurity capabilities ranging from secure cloud architectures and enterprise infrastructure to data center operations, scientific analysis, and cutting-edge cyber defense. We are led by technologists and veterans with firsthand mission experience, which enables us to understand both the operational realities and the innovation needed to succeed. Our approach is agile and outcome-based, delivering results in weeks rather than months whenever possible. At Bridge Defense we value people, integrity, and excellence. We foster an environment where innovation thrives in support of traditional mission requirements. Our team members receive competitive compensation, robust benefits, professional development and certification opportunities, and clear paths for growth while working on the nation's most critical projects.The Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Competition (SAF/OC) Concepts, Development and Management Office (SAF/CDM) Concept Portfolio Office (CPO) is a research and development (R&D) driven technology and development and operational support activity under the cognizance of the United States Air Force (USAF). The CPO mission is to provide the Air Force and Department of War (DoW) organizations with program management, financial management, contracting, and other support needed to rapidly explore concepts, assess technologies, and advance innovative concepts and projects to acquisition and warfighting partners. The CPO's Vision is to be DoW's premier agile partner for concept development and mission acceleration, providing innovative solutions to increase lethality and deliver technological advantage needed to win the Nation's wars.Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The Contract Specialist Journeyman supports the SAF/OC/CDM/CDMS/CPO with a full range of contract administration tasks in support of its Acquisition Project Support portfolio; specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:Manages program contract tasks with minimal supervision, working with other contract specialists, in support of the government Contracting Officer.Assists with implementation of strategies in support of organization objectives.Assists with development of key contracting documents to include Statements of Objective, Statements of Work, Performance Work Statements, Contract Data Requirements Lists, Quality Assurance Plans, etc.Assists with cost estimating efforts, and cost or price analysis.Assists with technology evaluation, assessment, FAR Research, strategy development, and market research efforts.Assists with coordination of contract execution with all stakeholders, resolving issues, and maintaining compliance with the FAR laws, rules, and regulations.Supports pre-award tasks, to include but not limited to: coordination with all stakeholders, review and advice on requirement and contract documentation, market research, solicitations, evaluations, and source selections with minimal guidance.Provides ongoing contract project execution, contract management, monitoring, tracking, schedule development, technical development prioritization, goal setting, and implementation; scheduling, coordination and implementation; risk and issue identification and mitigation; and financial execution monitoring.Supports post Award contract administration tasks, to include: documenting simple contract changes for the supported contracting officer, funded and administrative modifications, low risk negotiations per established standards, correspondence, contract documentation, and close out.Use government provided Generative AI tools on a day-to-day basis to accelerate research, documentation, analysis, reporting, and problem solving. Continuously adapt to evolving AI capabilities and recommend improvements to processes and practices.May perform duties as Contractor Task Team Lead, in support of the Task Lead.Required Qualifications, Education, and Experience:Current TOP SECRET/SCIBA/BS (or an AA/AS with at least 22 Credit hour business related credits plus an additional 4 years of work-related experience)A minimum of five (5) years of work-related experience.Of those 5 years, at least four (4) years of work-related experience supporting a DoD component.Experience with DoD contracts and acquisition processes.Experience in market research.Experience with applying the FAR to acquisition processes.Experience in assisting with market research, simple and low risk procurements, request for quotes (RFQ) with selection criteria or instructions to enable contract award to satisfy customer requirements.Must be DAWIA Level I certified in contracting or equivalent.Desired Qualifications, Education, and Experience:Experience in Pre-award and Post Award tasks in the last 5 years and willingness to grow and learn.Experience working with government contract writing systems, like. ConWrite or other, within the last five years.Air Force contracting experience.Contracting Level II preferred and have held a warrant.Knowledgeable and skilled at applying Generative AI.The Successful Candidate will Possess:Prospective candidates should have strong risk management skills, excellent communication, teamwork, and conflict management skills.The candidate must be analytical and effectively able to prioritize needs, requirements, and other issues.Ability to communicate and interact effectively at all levels of staff and management.Ability to exercise independent judgment, develop relationships, and obtain consensus among interested parties.Critical thinker with strong technical skills, diagnostic skills and problem-solving abilitySolid written and verbal communication skills to negotiate direction, drive projects and projects to successful conclusion and deliver knowledge to team members verbally and via clear designs, runbooks and technical engineering and exchange sessionsSelf-starter, flexible, adaptable, collaborative and motivated to champion continuous improvementAbility to develop peer networks across an enterprise to maintain technology awareness and to support resolution of problemsAbility to operate across traditional technical boundaries, comfortable working in the compute space as well as the storage space in an operational capacityTechnically curious and driven to learn new skills.General Factors:Depending on project requirements, may be required to work within a compressed schedule; overtime should be expected when schedules demand it.Willing to travel, if needed (less than 10%)No Relocation.