Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, American States Utility Services, Inc. contracts with the federal government to provide water and wastewater services that include operating, maintaining, renewing, replacing, and constructing new systems on military installations throughout the United States. The installations where we presently operate are home to nearly 350,000 military and civilian personnel and families.
We proudly deliver these vital services to military installations in Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas (including southeastern New Mexico), Virginia, Florida, Kansas, and Massachusetts.
Serving those who serve.
United States Veterans, Reservists, National Guard Members, and Military Spouses encouraged to apply.
COMPLEXITY: Contract activity with moderate to high risk to the subsidiary. Contract activity may be non-routine and require development of specialized contract vehicles and techniques to accomplish business goals and objectives. Working independently, utilizes judgment and knowledge of government contracting to support all aspects of pre- and post-award subcontracts administration, including issuance of Requests for Proposal, sourcing strategy, proposal reviews, and negotiations in a dynamic business environment. Involves critical thinking and analysis of significant issue identification and resolution. May require development of new contract policies and processes or assessment of required deviations from established norm. Analyzes new law, regulation and contract trends for potential impact on subsidiary goals and objectives. Functions as subsidiary expert on selected areas and issues on contracts. Advises subsidiary personnel on all matters related to contractual requirements and internal status and reporting. Requires a lower degree of management attention.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
PRE-AWARD –
- Extracts from requestor those requirements unique/relevant to the subcontractor and incorporates into RFP.
- Provides contractual guidance to subsidiary team members for appropriate Statement of Work and performs review for completeness and understanding.
- Source of authoritative guidance, advice, and counsel on policies and procedures relating to contract activity to Utility Manager, internal staff and potential subcontractors on procurement issues.
- Provides guidance in the development of Justification for Approvals for other than full and Open Competition, and Sole/Single Source Justifications.
- Identify small and disadvantage business entities in support of small business participation in procurement opportunities.
- Prepares recommended source lists of qualified subcontractors drawing upon their past performance experience and eligibility to participate in procurement opportunities.
Coordinates the list with subsidiary personnel to identify additional subcontractors to invite to participate.
- Responsible for performing subcontractor market research and, in coordination with ASUS subcontracting staff, assist with ensuring compliance with company’s supplier diversity program, including adherence with Federal Government Small Business Administration (SBA) requirements and prime contract Small Business Subcontracting Plans.
- Creates moderate to increasingly complex RFPs and bids after thoroughly reviewing and understanding the requirements of the RFP.
- Verifies accuracy and completeness of proposal packages. Interfaces with requestor to clarify and ensure that all necessary data has been included.
- Obtain nondisclosure agreements prior to release of plans and specifications to potential subcontractors.
- Examines bids and addresses any deviations, including performing price and/or cost analysis. Verifies subcontractor documents are complete, accurate and delivered to meet critical deadlines.
- Negotiates terms and conditions (contract price, type, FAR/DFAR clauses etc.) and monitors them for compliance with established standards.
- Assures risk management documentation is provided through required insurances, licenses, bonds, and subcontractor/vendor qualification process.
- Develops competitive range determinations, performs price/cost analysis/realism on prospective subcontractor and vendor proposals, and assists the Manager of Contracts, and subsidiary staff in the development of the recommended subcontract award position.
- Develops negotiation strategy with subsidiary personnel and leads negotiation team on complex contractual issues impacting contracts and subcontracts.
- Reviews third party subcontracts (where subsidiary is subcontractor to a prime contractor), non-disclosure agreements, wage determinations and certified payroll requirements, and other contractual instruments with the ability to negotiate terms and conditions with prime contractor.
- Provide RFP debriefing to unsuccessful offerors in accordance with FAR requirements, and notice to successful offeror.
POST-AWARD –
- Administers contracts and subcontracts from inception to completion including conducting post-award conferences with subcontractors to provide information and to clarify standard and special contract provisions.
- Focal point for all communication for resolution of contract issues and disputes.
- Evaluates subcontractor performance and ensures completion of Subcontractor Performance Assessment Reports (SPARs) and Annual Subcontractor and Vendor Report Cards.
- Reviews pay applications for conformance to contractual agreement, approves invoices for payment, and resolves disputes with outstanding invoices
- Performs final contract close-out and required documentation and ensures timely and accurate close-outs of all contract and subcontract files.
- Ensures compliance with record retention policy through digital upload of all contractual documents to SharePoint and required retention of hard copy of contract documents and claims.
- Administers subcontracts and ensure contractor purchasing system review (CPSR) compliant files; comply with internal policies and procedures and applicable Government regulations. Participates in annual external and internal audits.
- Prepares and provides monthly contract reports to Manager of Contracts regarding all completed and current tasks.
- Assist Proposal Development in pursuit and associated contract strategy. As an integral part of the proposal team, working with individuals and cross-functional groups throughout the proposal process. Examines cost estimates of material, equipment services, material costs, performance requirements, and delivery schedules to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to submission. Provides assessment and input for price structure and formatting of proposals to meet internal guidelines and external requirements.
- Establish and maintain internal and external relationships with key stakeholders and government customers, apply communication and negotiation expertise, develop intellectual capital, and train internal staff on subcontract-related topics.
- Provide training to less experienced contract team members and subsidiary personnel. Provide technical guidance and serves as liaison between subcontractor and subsidiary personnel.
- Maintains proficiency in government contracts, laws, and regulations through ongoing professional development to assume more complex contract activity and responsibilities.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Working to excellent knowledge of corporate policies and procedures, coupled with ability to identify required improvement to established policies.
- Working to expert knowledge of contracting concepts, construction contracting concepts; thorough understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Supplemental Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, and Certified Purchasing System Review (CPSR) requirements.
- Strong to excellent analytical, writing and communication skills.
- Good presentation, leadership and team-building skills.
- Independent judgment and creativity applied to resolution of contract issues.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or other closely related field OR four years of relevant experience required.
- Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in Contract Management, Accounting or other analytical field required.
- Experience with construction, underground utility construction preferred.
- Experience with developing RFPs, analyzing and negotiating subcontractor proposals and prices.
- Experience with resolving conflicts and providing post-award administration support.
- Knowledge of FFP, CPFF, T&M and LOE, types of subcontracts, and task and delivery order, and multiple award processes.
- Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) preferred.
- Familiarity with subcontractor qualifications.
- Proficient in use of modern computerized office equipment, programs, and mobile technology including laptops and online group meeting software.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, particularly Word, Excel and the ability to learn new software applications.
- Experience with JD Edwards software is software preferred.
May include but not limited to standing, walking, bending, pulling and/or pushing, grasping, lifting, reaching, stooping and crouching, color determination, typing, sitting, reading, speaking and listening.
BENEFITS
Our Company supports our employees with rich benefit programs and resources to help them thrive today and prepare for tomorrow. Benefit options include medical, dental, and vision plans with the Company currently paying 85% of the monthly premium for employees and their eligible dependents. We also offer paid vacation and sick time and twelve Company paid holidays per year. To help our employees plan for the future, we offer both a 401(k) retirement plan as well as a Defined Contribution Profit Sharing retirement plan. Additional benefits include life, AD&D, and LTD insurance as well as health savings account and flexible spending plans.
COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The compensation range provided is in compliance with state specific laws. Multiple factors are used to determine the actual starting rate of pay for all of our positions, including specific skills, years of experience, education, certification(s), and other job related factors.
U.S. Citizenship is required pursuant to our contract with the federal government.
The responsibilities of this position will involve access to information that may be considered confidential, private and sensitive. Therefore, the individual filling this position will be required to both allow and pass a background check.
NOTE: Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with special needs to perform the essential functions.
