Procurement Counselor

Department: Office Rsrch Innov and Econ Impact

Classification: Program Admin Specialist 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Part-Time

Work Schedule: Part-time

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Remote Eligible

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

Within the Mason Enterprise Center, the Virginia APEX Accelerator at George Mason University is an organization funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) and George Mason University. The Virginia APEX Accelerator provides Government contracting assistance by offering marketing, counseling, and educational services to businesses throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia APEX Accelerator is headquartered in Fairfax, VA and covers 80 counties in Virginia, with satellite offices in Fredericksburg, Chesapeake, and Hampton, VA.

About the Position:

The Virginia APEX Accelerator Procurement Counselor provides training and counseling to Virginia businesses in all aspects of federal and state/local procurement. These services include instruction in methods for submitting bids and proposals, billing and execution of contracted work and also securing applicable socioeconomic certifications such as 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB/EDWOSB, Certification for Veterans and State specific registration. This position interacts on a consistent basis with business representatives and representatives of government agencies at local, state, and federal levels. This position typically advises and counsels business representatives including owners and managers. The Procurement Counselor provides a full range of business development counseling services to clients who wish to conduct business with the federal, state and local governments. The Procurement Counselor also acts as the Virginia APEX Accelerator representative/liaison to Federal Agencies, statewide organizations and partners.

Responsibilities:

Government Contracting Counseling

• Ensures Virginia APEX Accelerator client’s SAM and Dynamic Small Business Search are thoroughly filled out to provide the best snapshot of the firms’ competencies;
• Determines eligibility of firm’s ability to achieve socioeconomic certifications for HUBZone, 8(a) and WOSB/EDWOSB, Mentor Protégé and SDVOSB verification;
• Advises Virginia APEX Accelerator clients about the advantages and disadvantages associated with teaming arrangements and the various regulations governing subcontracting and joint ventures;
• Provides Virginia APEX Accelerator clients information about the government’s competition policies, contract types, procurement methods, and source selection processes;
• Performs assessments of Virginia APEX Accelerator clients’ draft responses to government solicitations and provides recommendations to improve their chances of winning more government contracts and subcontracts;
• Provides Virginia APEX Accelerator clients information about government procurement policies, rules, regulations and processes;
• Provides Virginia APEX Accelerator clients recommended courses of action to resolve government solicitation, prime contract, subcontract, contract management, and/or performance issues; and
• Maintains current, accurate and complete electronic records for all counseling sessions and administrative actions in support of the Virginia APEX Accelerator mission. 

Business Training 

• Assists with the development of government contracting presentations, workshops and outreach events; and
• Leads government contracting workshops and provides formal presentations to small businesses and external constituents within the Virginia APEX Accelerator's service area. 

Outreach, Success Stories, and Other Duties As Needed 

• Establishes and maintains relationships with government buyers and partners (incl. universities, economic development organizations, major prime contractors, State Procurement professionals, legislators, chambers of commerce, and other business groups);
• Seeks and maintains success stories attesting to the assistance provided to clients (a success story demonstrates a direct effort of the APEX Accelerator that generated employment and/or helped to improve the economy of a locality by assisting a client(s) in obtaining or performing under a Federal, State, or local government prime contract(s), subcontract(s), assistance instruments, or other significant events). The counselor drafts a narrative of the challenges faced by the client and documents contributions provided by the counselor and program with the tangible results and works with the client to publish the completed narrative; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience in contract management and proposal development;
• Professional experience in federal procurement regulations;
• Experience in bid/proposal preparation and contract administration/close-out;
• Experience operating video-conferencing equipment and software, such as MS Teams or Zoom;
• Working knowledge and skills in applying government rules and regulations related to procurement for Federal, State and Local procurements;
• Thorough understanding of basic computer skills and the ability to learn internal CRM program;
• Skill in public speaking, presentation and writing;
• Skill in problem solving and time management;
• Skill in providing effective customer service;
• Proficiency in analytical market research;
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite software, familiarity with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems;
• Ability to communicate and coordinate with a wide variety of people and organizations;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protection of client information;
• Ability to be self-directed and capable of managing a large client case load and timely scheduling of appointments;
• Ability to manage multiple projects/tasks in a dynamic work environment;
• Ability to pursue professional development training as prescribed by the Director;
• Demonstrate high tolerance for working with businesses at all levels of maturity; and
• Ability to work toward and obtain APTAC/NAPEX APP certification within the first two years of employment and CPP certification within three years. May substitute CFCM or CPCM through NCMA in lieu of APTAC/NAPEX APP certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience owning and operating a small business and/or advising on business growth strategies within the government sector;
• Experience as a federal or state/local contract specialist/analyst/buyer;
• Experience with successfully applying for Federal and Virginia small business preference / set-aside programs;
• Record of success winning and maintaining GSA Multiple Award Schedules;
• Familiarity with NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC requirements; and
• Familiarity with GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS).

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Procurement Counselor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review. 

Posting Open Date: October 9, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  October 23, 2024

Open Until Filled:  Yes