ARPA-H – Contract Specialist (Intermediate)

Amentum is looking for experienced personnel to expand our healthcare technology development support capabilities at the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).

Founded in 2022, ARPA-H is a Federal research funding agency that supports transformative biomedical and health breakthroughs – ranging from the molecular to the societal – to provide health solutions for all.  ARPA-H advances high-potential, high-impact biomedical and health research that cannot be readily accomplished through traditional research or commercial activity to develop solutions to society’s most challenging health problems.

We are interested in individuals who have experience supporting leadership personnel at a Federal or State agency or major private sector company. Contract Specialists will support the Business Innovation Division (BID), regularly interacting with Government Contracting Officers as well as Program Managers from throughout the Agency. Contract Specialists will provide pre- and post-contract management support for research and development (R&D) assistance agreements and Other Transactions (OT) related to new technology development programs.

Responsibilities will include:

• Assist the Contracting Officer in the organization, management, and administration of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, IDIQ Task Orders, and other contractual documents and special projects prior to and during negotiations
• Provide analysis and data collection
• Post synopsis and award announcements on the System for Award Management (SAM) and Federal Grants websites
• Coordinate, assemble, and update electronic and hard copy solicitation, contract, and contract related files
• Analyze, coordinate, and clarify elements of cost in proposals
• Research problems on a wide variety of contractual issues and draft appropriate correspondence for internal and external distribution
• Assist in the development and review process for Broad Agency Announcements (BAA) / Innovative Solutions Openings (ISO) with the Contracting Officer and technical personnel
• Assist the Contracting Officer in the preparation of contract modifications (incremental funding, redirection of effort, performance extensions, incorporation of change orders, etc.); prepare necessary modifications to clarify questions concerning such topics as increase in scope, specification changes, language ambiguities, and/or clarification of contract clauses
• Prepare draft stop work orders, cure notices, or show cause letters, and termination of contracts
• Monitor the status of Government property, and invoicing, and payment processes ensuring timely payments
• Assist in coordination and administratively manage the entire acquisition process to include all activities (e.g., Broad Agency Announcements, Special Notices, Requests for Proposal and Requests for Information), evaluation of proposals, and award approval process

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in any field with at least 8 years of relevant experience
• Experience with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Other Transactions (OT), and R&D contracting
• The demonstrated professionalism, maturity, sound judgement, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills necessary for daily interactions with executive-level audiences in a dynamic, high-visibility support office environment

• Ability to work independently or in a team setting as circumstances dictate

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust US Government Clearance.

  Note: US Citizenship is required to obtain a <Public Trust Clearance. 

Highly Desired Attributes:

• Experience supporting cradle-to-grave contracting
• Experience managing source selections
• Experience in grants management and cooperative agreements
• Experience in government leasing requirements/facilities
• Experience in Federal Acquisition Regulations in the area of supplies and services
• Experience with eRA, FOAM, and/or PRISM
• Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) qualification
• ARPA-H experience
• Other ARPA agency (DARPA, IARPA, ARPA-E, etc.) experience
• National Institute of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or Department of Defense (DoD) experience
• Experience in a R&D environment

Hybrid and telework options are likely but residence within Washington, DC metropolitan area is desired.

Amentum is a highly ethical, safety conscious employer with caring leaders and competitive total compensation.  We offer multiple health care options so you can select the one that suits your needs.  Our 401K requires no vesting periods for company matching funds.  You’ll receive 10 federal holidays that can easily be adjusted to your beliefs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, national origin, age, United States military veteran’s status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, family structure, medical condition including genetic characteristics or information, veteran status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal EEO laws and supplemental language at EEO including Disability/Protected Veterans and Labor Laws Posters.