Procurement Specialist - North Carolina
Hybrid work with occasional travel outside of NC
About NCAIED
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the largest national Native American-focused business organization in the United States. For more than 50 years, NCAIED has assisted American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages and corporations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Native-owned businesses through business development, economic advancement, technical assistance, advocacy, and training opportunities.
NCAIED serves more than 4,000 clients that secure over $4 billion in contracts annually. The organization’s core focus areas include federal advocacy, economic development, access to capital, and nationally recognized educational and training events, including the Reservation Economic Summit (RES). NCAIED maintains ten offices nationwide, with headquarters located in Mesa, Arizona.
Position Summary
The Procurement Specialist provides government contracting and procurement assistance to American Indian and other Native American-owned businesses within the Eastern BIA Region including the states of CT, DC, DE, IN, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV. Through the NCAIED APEX Accelerator program, this position helps clients identify opportunities, navigate federal procurement requirements, secure certifications, prepare proposals, and build capacity to compete successfully for government contracts.
The position requires working knowledge of federal government contracting laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, including FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, business and industry practices, cost factors, sources of supply, and procurement programs specific to American Indian and other Native American businesses.
Essential ResponsibilitiesClient Counseling and Technical Assistance
- Conduct initial and follow-up counseling sessions with American Indian and other Native American-owned businesses to explain NCAIED services, government bidding opportunities, marketing strategies, and applicable DoD APEX Accelerator program requirements.
- Provide documented procurement counseling through telephone calls, correspondence, email, virtual meetings, or in-person discussions where professional guidance is provided to assist clients in marketing products or services to DoD, other federal agencies, and state and local governments.
- Assist clients with identifying opportunities, understanding specifications, preparing and submitting bids and proposals, and navigating post-award responsibilities.
- Advise and assist clients in pursuing subcontracting opportunities with federal, state, and local government prime contractors and subcontractors at any tier.
- Provide post-award assistance related to production, quality system requirements, finance, engineering, transportation, packaging, and other contract performance needs.
Government Contracting Support
- Maintain current knowledge of procurement legislation, regulations, procedures, FAR, DFARS, and applicable agency supplements.
- Research and provide information on special procurement programs for American Indian and other Native American businesses.
- Assist clients in obtaining required specifications, plans, drawings, military specifications, and related technical information.
- Provide information and guidance on DoD cybersecurity requirements, including Project Spectrum and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) resources.
- Seek guidance from the Program Manager on sensitive issues, policy or procedure questions, procurement interpretations, or difficult-to-resolve situations.
Registration and Certification Assistance
- Assist clients with System for Award Management (SAM), SBA Small Business Search and other vendor-site registrations.
- Review assigned client profiles routinely to ensure NCAIED information is aligned with SAM data and notify clients of discrepancies as needed.
- Assist clients in developing concise capability descriptions for SAM, DSBS, and the NCAIED database.
- Provide information on Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), HUBZone, 8(a), and other socioeconomic or small business preference programs.
- Work with clients to refine capability descriptions, keywords, codes, and bid-match information to support appropriate opportunity identification.
Outreach and Relationship Management
- Attend and participate in conferences, seminars, training workshops, and outreach events within and outside the assigned geographic area.
- Serve as a speaker, moderator, or trainer when requested on NCAIED services or procurement subjects relevant to American Indian and other Native American businesses.
- Establish and maintain liaison relationships with OSDBU Directors, Small Business Specialists, Small Business Liaison Officers, SBA Procurement Center Representatives, SBA Commercial Marketing Representatives, DoD Small Business Councils, state Native American affairs bodies, Native American Chambers of Commerce, and other small business representatives in the assigned geographic area.
- Make regular efforts to maintain contact with key representatives by in-person meetings, email, or telephone and document discussions and activities as needed.
Documentation and Reporting
- Follow office guidelines for intake of new clients and maintain complete, accurate, and timely client records.
- Document all counseling activities in the client management system and ensure official files remain current and complete.
- Monitor client activity and success, including required surveys and reports related to contracts or subcontracts received.
- Prepare event accomplishment reports and submit required documentation with travel expense reports.
- Prepare special reports as requested by the Program Manager for DoD reporting requirements.
- Complete travel reports and reimbursement requests in accordance with applicable GSA Travel Regulations and NCAIED travel instructions.
Professional Development and Other Duties
- Follow the NCAIED training plan for continued professional development in procurement and government contracting.
- Become familiar with and follow the NCAIED Office Manual, procedures for official and personal conduct of business, and ethical requirements.
- Perform other related duties as assigned in support of organizational operations, strategic initiatives, and special projects.
Core Competencies
- Federal Procurement and Contracting Knowledge – Understanding of federal procurement regulations, policies, procedures, and government purchasing requirements at the federal, state, and local levels.
- Technical Proficiency – Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; working knowledge of Microsoft Access preferred.
- Communication Excellence – Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate clearly with diverse audiences.
- Relationship Management – Ability to build and maintain professional relationships using tact, diplomacy, patience, and professionalism.
- Judgment and Decision-Making – Ability to analyze situations, exercise sound judgment, and make thoughtful, effective decisions.
- Time Management and Organization – Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
- Independent Work Management – Ability to work autonomously in a satellite or remote office environment while following organizational policies and supervisory expectations.
- Results-Oriented Performance – Commitment to completing work accurately, efficiently, and in a cost-effective manner.
- Adaptability and Resilience – Ability to respond effectively to changing priorities, competing demands, deadlines, and operational pressure.
- Travel and Geographic Mobility – Willingness and ability to travel throughout the assigned service area and beyond using various modes of transportation.
- Planning and Prioritization – Ability to balance multiple projects, adjust schedules, and maintain productivity in a dynamic environment.
Qualifications and Experience
Required Qualifications
- Any combination equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field, or a minimum of three years of experience in one or more related fields such as contracting, purchasing, project management, or business development.
- Prior experience working with Native American businesses in a contracting environment or business assistance role required.
- Valid driver’s license required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with federal government contracting, procurement, or acquisition processes.
- Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, SBA programs, and federal small business contracting programs.
- Experience supporting Native American businesses, Tribal governments, Tribal enterprises, or economic development programs.
- Experience with SAM, DSBS, and government procurement platforms.
- Experience delivering workshops, training, outreach sessions, or business counseling services.
Work Environment
This position is based in North Carolina and operates primarily in a professional office environment. The role may require occasional flexibility to work outside standard business hours and periodic travel in support of meetings, trainings, conferences, and organizational events.
Travel Requirement
This role requires the ability to travel throughout North Carolina and occasionally outside the state to support client meetings, trainings, conferences, outreach activities, and other program needs. Estimated travel may be up to 25–40% depending on program and client needs; final travel expectations should be confirmed by NCAIED leadership before posting.
Physical Requirements
This position requires prolonged periods of sitting, computer use, virtual communication, and document review. The employee must be able to travel periodically throughout North Carolina and occasionally outside the state to attend meetings, conferences, trainings, and outreach events. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Pay: From $62,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Pembroke, NC 28372
