Civilian Careers in Naval Acquisition: Contract Specialist (GS-11/12)

The Department of the Navy offers rewarding civilian careers that bridge tactical military needs with strategic acquisition leadership. The Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk is currently seeking qualified professionals to fill Contract Specialist (GS-1102-11/12) positions across multiple key locations.

Whether you are an experienced federal contract specialist looking to advance your grade level or a commercial acquisition professional ready to serve your country, this guide provides a thorough overview of the role, requirements, salary structures, and application strategies.

About the Agency: Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP)

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk provides premier logistics, business, and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, and Joint Operational Commands across the globe. Civilian acquisition specialists working within NAVSUP serve as vital stewards of public funds, acquiring critical equipment, advanced technologies, structural support, and complex services that directly enhance fleet readiness.

Working as a civilian for the Department of the Navy combines mission-oriented purpose with competitive civilian benefits, professional training, and career progression opportunity.

Core Duties & Key Responsibilities

Contract Specialists manage the comprehensive end-to-end contracting lifecycle. Depending on the operational facility and specific project assignments, your day-to-day duties will include:

Pre-Award Operations: Developing acquisition plans, performing market research, drafting solicitations, and evaluating vendor proposals for regulatory compliance, price reasonableness, and technical adequacy.
Post-Award Administration: Managing complex supply and service contracts throughout their performance period, ensuring terms are met, executing modifications, handling disputes, and overseeing formal closeout proceedings.
Cost & Price Analysis: Evaluating detailed pricing structures and cost elements using market trends, historical data, and audit reports to negotiate fair prices.
Regulatory Oversight: Ensuring strict adherence to Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and Department of the Navy instructions.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Communicating effectively with internal program offices, military commanders, and private defense contractors to resolve procurement bottlenecks.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

To qualify for this position, applicants must fulfill specific educational standards and demonstrate relevant specialized experience.

Basic Education Requirement

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution.

Note on Grandfather Provisions: Civilian personnel who occupied a GS-1102 position or held contracting authority above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000, are exempt from this requirement. Military members who served in a similar occupational specialty prior to October 1, 2000, are also exempt.

Specialized Experience Requirements

GS-11 Level: At least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in federal service. Experience must show foundational knowledge of procurement principles, pre- and post-award administrative duties, cost analysis, and contract modifications.
GS-12 Level: At least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate advanced mastery of acquisition advisory services, handling complex supply/service contracts, managing multi-faceted procurement projects, analyzing agency policy, and leading negotiation efforts.

Grade & Qualification Comparison

Criteria	GS-11 Level	GS-12 Level
Prerequisite Experience	1 Year equivalent to GS-9	1 Year equivalent to GS-11
Scope of Work	Standard contracting actions, assistance with complex solicitations, cost analysis.	Full management of complex contracts, contract policy improvement, advisory leadership.
Salary Range (Base Base)	Fits lower tier of $75,788 - $131,293	Fits higher tier of $75,788 - $131,293
Promotion Potential	Target grade GS-12	Target grade GS-12 (Full Performance Level)
Assessment Requirement	USA Hire & Structured Interview	USA Hire & Structured Interview

Work Locations & Salary Details

This posting fills up to five vacancies across four strategic naval locations:

Groton Submarine Base, Connecticut
Naval Support Activity, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
NSA Mechanicsburg Detachment, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia

The full overall salary band spans from $75,788 to $131,293 per year, depending on the exact grade level (GS-11 vs GS-12) and locality pay adjustment applicable to your duty station.

Civilian Benefits Overview

Department of the Navy civilian employees enjoy a robust employee benefits program, including:

Health Insurance: Access to Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program with comprehensive plan options.
Retirement System: Dual-tier retirement through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching up to 5%.
Paid Time Off: 13 to 26 days of annual leave per year (based on service length), 13 days of sick leave annually, and 11 paid federal holidays.
Work-Life Balance: Telework flexibility, alternative work schedules, and specialized professional training options.

Essential Application Tips

Applying for federal jobs requires precision and compliance with rigid HR guidelines. Follow these strategies to ensure your application package gets referred to hiring managers:

Observe the Resume Page Limit: Your resume MUST NOT exceed two (2) pages. Packages with longer resumes will be marked as unreadable and disqualified immediately.
Specify Experience Details: Clearly state job titles, start and end dates (MM/YY), average weekly hours worked, and federal pay plan/series/grade (e.g., GS-1102-11) for all listed positions.
Include Time-in-Grade Proof: If applying for a promotion to GS-12, submit SF-50 forms proving 52 consecutive weeks at the GS-11 level. If using an SF-50 issued within the last 12 months, submit a second SF-50 dated over a year ago.
Complete USA Hire Assessments: After submitting your USAJobs application, check your email for the USA Hire link. You must complete the online assessment within 48 hours of receiving the notification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the closing date for this job announcement?

Applications must be fully submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on November 9, 2026.

Q: Is this position open to veterans and military spouses?

Yes! The hiring paths for this announcement include Veterans, Military Spouses, Competitive Service employees, Individuals with Disabilities, and CTAP/ICTAP eligible candidates.

Q: Are financial disclosures required?

Yes. Due to the financial nature of procurement work, selectees must submit an OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment.

Q: Who can I contact for application assistance?

For technical issues or position inquiries, contact the Department of the Navy Employment Information Center via email at [email protected].

A Contract Specialist career with NAVSUP FLC Norfolk places you at the intersection of public trust, defense strategy, and operational readiness. With strong promotion potential, competitive salaries, and telework flexibility, these openings offer ideal paths for procurement professionals. Ensure your resume stays under two pages, assemble your SF-50s and transcripts, and submit your application prior to the closing deadline!

Why This Contract Specialist Job Matters

Step into a critical defense acquisition role with the Department of the Navy as a Contract Specialist, supporting naval fleet logistics across key locations in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Contract Specialist Job Overview

The Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk is actively recruiting for up to five Contract Specialist positions at the GS-11 and GS-12 grade levels. Operating out of key naval facilities—including Groton, CT, Mechanicsburg, PA, Philadelphia, PA, and Norfolk, VA—these positions carry a salary range of $75,788 to $131,293 per year. Selected candidates will manage full-lifecycle acquisitions for vital supplies, personal services, and non-personal services, playing a direct role in maintaining defense readiness.

Requirements for Contract Specialist

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (exemptions apply to individuals holding DoD 1102 contracting positions prior to October 1, 2000).
GS-11 Level: Minimum 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9, demonstrating proficiency in contract administration, price analysis, pre/post-award actions, and negotiating terms.
GS-12 Level: Minimum 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, demonstrating deep mastery of federal contracting regulations, advisory services, project management, and policy improvement.
Strict submission of a resume that does NOT exceed 2 pages (longer resumes will be disqualified).
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Filing of a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450) within 30 days of appointment.
Completion of required USA Hire online competency assessments within 48 hours of invite notification.

Preferred Qualifications for Contract Specialist

Comprehensive knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and Department of the Navy acquisition policies.
Demonstrated experience preparing and modifying complex contracts, task orders, and delivery orders.
Proven track record in analyzing market research and complex price/cost data.
Strong cross-functional collaboration and negotiating capability across government and commercial sectors.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive salary with grade progression (GS-11 to GS-12 promotion potential).
✓Comprehensive health insurance (FEHB) options with broad coverage.
✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching contributions up to 5%.
✓Generous paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 official federal holidays.
✓Eligible for regular telework arrangements subject to agency policy.

💡 How to Apply Contract Specialist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Contract Specialist Job

Carefully review the entire job posting and verify your eligibility under the target hiring paths (e.g., Competitive Service, Veterans, Military Spouses, Disadvantaged/Disability).
Prepare a resume that is strictly two pages or fewer, detailing exact employment dates (MM/YY), hours per week, pay plan, series, and grade levels for prior federal roles.
Gather supporting documents such as college transcripts, SF-50 forms showing time-in-grade compliance, DD-214 for veteran preference, or disability documentation.
Click the online application link to access USAJobs/USA Staffing and complete all required candidate questionnaires prior to 11:59 PM ET on November 9, 2026.
Upon submission, check your email and USAJobs application tracker for your unique USA Hire assessment link.
Set aside roughly 2 hours to complete the USA Hire Competency-Based Assessments within 48 hours of receiving your assessment link.

💡 General Tips

Strict Two-Page Limit: Do not let your resume exceed two pages under any circumstances. Illegible or oversized resumes will be rejected automatically.
Detail Your Federal History: Clearly note GS grade levels, series, starting/ending months and years, and hours worked per week for every position listed.
Time-in-Grade Proof: If applying for a GS-12 position, ensure you upload SF-50 forms showing at least 52 weeks at the GS-11 level. If uploading an SF-50 issued within the past year, submit an additional SF-50 from over a year ago.
Prepare for USA Hire: Block off quiet time immediately after applying to complete the USA Hire assessments within the mandatory 48-hour window.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the educational requirement for this GS-1102 position?

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. An exemption exists for civilian employees or military personnel who occupied a GS-1102 or equivalent position executing authority above the simplified acquisition threshold on or before September 30, 2000.

Is telework permitted for this role?

Yes, this position is eligible for telework according to agency policy and supervisory approval, though it is not a 100% remote position.

What is the maximum page length for the resume?

Resumes must be no longer than two (2) pages. Resumes exceeding two pages will be deemed unreadable or ineligible.

What level of security clearance is required?

Selectees must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Are there specialized assessment tests after submitting the application?

Yes. Candidates who meet basic qualifications will receive a link to complete USA Hire Competency-Based Assessments, which must be completed within 48 hours of receipt.