Engineering Technician (Contract Admin), GS-0802
Construction Engineering Group, Grand Coulee Field Office, Grand Coulee, WA
Position Number: 135108A
GENERAL
This position is located in the Grand Coulee Field Office (GCFO) of the Pacific Northwest Construction Engineering Group (PNCEG). The PNCEG serves as the construction management office of the Pacific Northwest Region of the Bureau of Reclamation, with primary responsibility to manage, administer, and oversee the Region’s construction projects. The PNCEGis responsible for inspecting and administering a wide variety of contracts at various projects, including earthen or concrete dams, power or pumping plants, roads, water conveyance structures, and existing dam operations. The GCFO is responsible for the administration of a number of construction and equipment installation contracts of a very complex nature for the Grand Coulee and Hungry Horse projects. The unique features of the contracts include construction and modification of major switchyards, powerplants, and pumping-generating facilities and construction and repair of various other support features and facilities on the projects. The GCFO has contract administration, engineering, and field oversight responsibility for managing the various construction contracts for the Grand Coulee Project.
This position provides support for the contract administration activities and other administrative efforts that are handled by the GCFO.
Level 2 - In this position, the employee typically and primarily works with individuals, groups, and/or teams that involve other Reclamation offices, Federal, state, or local government agencies, Indian Tribes, water and power organizations, non-government offices, and other stakeholders. This position is tasked with the responsibility for a program or project that will involve multiple disciplines and organizations. Interactions are generally more complex and sensitive in nature. Required collaborative competencies include Project Management, Decision Making, Teambuilding, Problem Solving, Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Negotiations.
MAJOR DUTIES
Manages the contract submittal process. Receives the submittals, sends submittal material to those assigned to review it, monitors the government’s review/comment/approve obligations and prepares correspondence responding to submittals. Monitors contractors’ submittal drawings, data, and materials to assure that submittals are in accordance with construction schedules and contract requirements. Utilizes the construction management computer facilities to monitor the status of submittals and the accounting of contractor compliance with these specification requirements.
Assures that construction contractors comply with Labor Standards Provisions of the contracts. Monitors the submittal of payrolls and reviews them for correctness of wages and fringe benefits shown thereon. Also assures that construction contractors comply with the equal opportunity and other socioeconomic requirements of the contracts. Establishes procedures and oversees or performs compilations and calculations used to determine quantities for monthly contract earnings. Organizes and attends preconstruction conferences with contractors to clarify contract requirements and contractor obligations. Works with field personnel to assure that accurate documentation of work activities is kept and reported,and that this information is available for use when reviewing submitted payrolls. Assembles and verifies construction cost records of labor, materials, and equipment associated with directed changes in contract work or claims for delay and/or increased cost presented by contractors.
Reviews and analyzes contractors’ claims and applicable specifications and solicitations provisions to determine the validity of the claims and to insure that cost items such as equipment rates, labor, and materials agree with information developed from Reclamation records and is consistent with contract provisions and the Federal, Departmental, and Reclamation procurement regulations and policies. Recommends appropriate action to staff and contractor’s representatives. Prepares drafts of correspondence to the Contracting Officer outlining all facts, which support recommendations for granting or denying contractors’ claims for additional work, negotiating prices of extra work, and/or advising the contractor of the Contracting Officer’s decision concerning the merit of their claim.
Prepares monthly and weekly technical construction progress reports and other reports as required. Oversees the preparation and assembly of office engineering reports, drawings, and correspondence related to construction contracts. Gathers, complies, coordinates, and distributes construction field data, submittals, reports, and records pertinent to ongoing construction contracts. Reviews and transmits construction drawings to contractors.
Serves as field support for contract specialists and contract administrators who are responsible for pre-award and/or post-award functions for a variety of supply, service, and/or construction contracts.
Performs other duties as assigned.
FACTORS
Knowledge Required by the Position
Knowledge of Federal and Reclamation standards and special acquisition regulations, and the skill to recognize and use them in administering common contracting situations for competitive bids (firm fixed price, and cost-plus contracts) and negotiated contracts, as well as skill in devising new methods or adapting existing methods to contract situations. Knowledge of engineering principlesand construction estimating cost methodology.
Ability to use computer systems and to operate the construction management software used by the field station.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Possess skill in basic clerical duties to support field office activities.
Knowledge of commonly used contract principles, techniques, methods, and procedures of government construction contracting, including bid opening procedures, contract modifications, change orders, findings of facts including supporting documents with pricing and justification, as well as a knowledge of internal and external agency and associated agency operations for use in administering contracts. Knowledge of cost and price procedures and techniques to evaluate bids or offers and responsibility of contractors on the basis of competition, historical costs, reports from auditors or technical specialist, contractor cost breakdowns regarding labor, materials, overhead, and profit, or other evaluation criteria and selection processes where the information is usually available. Knowledge of pricing procedures sufficient to review and make recommendations on contractor proposals for claims and extra work, or devise other methods suitable to the situation to determine market conditions to assure appropriateness of the price and to assure compliance with contracting procedures.
Supervisory Controls
Work is performed under the supervision of the Chief of the GCFO Contract Administration Group, who provides work assignments in general terms and goals. The incumbent independently plans and performs daily work with guidance and instructions for unfamiliar practices and problems. Conventional assignments are completed with minimal intervention by the supervisor. Significant deviations from guides or precedents require direct contact with the supervisor. Completed work is spot checked for adequacy and conformance with established policies and sound engineering concepts.
Guidelines
Guidelines include Federal Acquisition Regulations, Department of the Interior Acquisition Regulations, Reclamation Acquisition Regulations, Regional letters, estimating cost guides, numerous precedents, and computer instruction manuals. Guidelines apply to the majority of work assignments, although the incumbent must consider the myriad of precedent situations and must make some adaptation to them.
Complexity
Assignments consist of relatively conventional contract matters. Work on any contract may involve changes such as differing site conditions, work suspension, claims, or as a result of discussions with the contractor.
Assignments require accurate verification of information being supplied to the government by the contractor.
Diversity of related experience and knowledge in the use of regulations is important. Due to the complexity of the work and frequent changes, considerable knowledge of change orders, modifications, and claims, as well as special clauses, is required. Contract administration work involves monitoring all aspects of a contract, including the progress of required submittals. The contract is kept running smoothly by selection and application of standard methods and techniques, as well as by devising new approaches to problems with unrecognized precedents.
Some of the contracts include such complexities as: use of various fixed-price and cost contracts; inclusion of special provisions, e.g., Government-furnished property, quality assurance inspections, and similar terms and conditions; limited competition because of urgency or quantity specified; negotiated contract changes to accommodate changes in mission requirements, defective specification, or similar problems; contractual periods of more than a year.
Scope and Effect
The purpose of the work is to perform a variety of office administration duties and contracting duties using conventional contracting procedures. The office administration duties are necessary to insure the orderly function of the GCFO. The timely and satisfactory resolution of important contract issues can result in large monetary savings to the Government. The contract administration function in a field office ranges from pre-award through completion of contracts complex in nature. In performing the required tasks, the technician supports the operation of the office and foresees potential problems, helping to eliminate conceivable extra costs and legal complications for the contracts.
Personal Contacts
Has an extensive contact with Reclamation inspectors and engineers, procurement personnel, and representatives of contractors. Personal contacts are with supervisor and coworkers of the PNCEG (Boise, Idaho) and GCFO such as field inspectors, materials engineering technicians, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers, and clerical staff; bidders’ representatives; contractors’ representatives; and employees at the Denver and Regional offices and the Grand Coulee Power Office. These contacts are important to resolve problems and to transmit information.
Purpose of Contacts
The purpose of these contacts is to furnish, obtain, verify, or correct information and data, clear up doubtful points, advise as to discrepancies found in meeting contract terms and consider acceptable substitutes, resolve mutual problems, and coordinate the work with that of personnel in related activities. Contacts with contractor personnel primarily will be related to the administration of all contract work to enforce compliance with all applicable specifications and to insure fair contracting practices are followed. Contacts with Technical Service Center and/or Regional personnel will relate to problems encountered in overall contract administration, such as work progress, interpretation of specifications, change orders, and similar items. Contact with Project personnel will normally involve various construction activities and administrative functions as delegated to the project.
Physical Demands
The work is mostly sedentary. However, periodic travel and the associated physical demands of field review of onsite contract work will be encountered in the course of the work. Work and training may be performed at a variety of locations and may require incumbent to be in travel status over 20 percent of the time.
Work Environment
The work is primarily in a climate-controlled, well-lit office environment with occasional fieldwork in various weather conditions. The employee is subjected to moderate risks or discomforts in the field, which require special safety precautions. Situations may arise when the employee is required to visit plants or construction sites where machines, earth moving equipment, chemicals, or other construction equipment are in operation. Employee is required to use appropriate protective equipment such as hard hats, goggles, boots, and similar clothing.The employeeis required to attend periodic safety classes.
Vehicle Use
The incumbent will be required to operate motor vehicles in the performance of duties and is completely responsible for its safe operation. The employee must operate such equipment in compliance with applicable Reclamation, Federal, state, county, and municipal laws and regulations. Responsible for maintaining applicable state license, and is required to notify supervisor of expiration date or revocation of license or changes in physical conditions that would affect operational competency. Incumbent is responsible for reporting all accidents in accordance with Federal regulations and state law.
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