Contracting Officers serve as members of a team of highly motivated professionals that provide critical support to US National Security. CIA acquisition professionals have the opportunity to apply their business skills to diverse programs such as those for technical collection systems, construction projects and information technology initiatives. Contracting Officers at CIA serve in various program offices alongside their Agency and other Intelligence Community colleagues, working to enable the mission of intelligence.
At CIA, only the Contracting Officer is legally authorized to financially obligate the US Government to acquire its products and services. Working in a team environment, our Contracting Officers learn and utilize innovative business practices to streamline the acquisition process and maximize resources. The Contracting Officer manages a wide variety of unique and complex contract types to obtain “best value” on behalf of the US Government.
Our Contracting Officers follow a training and development program specifically geared toward their growth and advancement in the field of contracting at the Agency. With a mix of paced, on-the-job experiences and successful completion of related training, our Contracting Officers may obtain technical certifications that enable them to apply for positions of increased responsibility and professional advancement. This career development program enables our Contracting Officers the opportunity to immediately contribute to the mission of the CIA.
Contracting offers the following career progression levels:
Entry – Learn and use innovative acquisitions business practices while gaining contracting experience. Under close supervision, duties include: pre-award planning and documentation; soliciting, planning, negotiating; administration and closeout; acquiring products and services in an efficient, cost-effective manner; and providing administrative support on contracts while developing technical expertise.
Developmental – Obtain and increase depth and breadth of experience in fixed price and cost reimbursement contracts to qualify for contracting positions of greater responsibility. Conduct acquisitions activities that are vital to national security using innovative acquisitions business practices. Duties are similar to entry level but with limited guidance.
Full Performance – These positions require a five year contract term employment agreement Contract Term Agreement. Contracting Officers work with Federal Acquisitions Regulations and Agency specific guidelines. Responsible for fixed price contracts as well as cost reimbursement contracts of varying complexity. Conduct acquisitions activities that are vital to national security using innovative acquisitions business practices. Duties include: serving as an advisor to customers; performing planning functions; preparing and soliciting sole source and competitive solicitations; evaluating proposals; negotiating and awarding contracts; and performing the full range of contracts administration responsibilities. Delegations of procurement authority generally issued commensurate with applicable contracts experience and dependent on the requirements of a particular contracting activity. Opportunity to develop technical expertise for contracting positions of greater responsibility.
Senior – Required to immediately work with little or no direct guidance. Responsible for fixed price contracts as well as cost reimbursement contracts involving difficult cost and price analyses and negotiations strategies. Provide continuous oversight of complex contracts and acquisitions activities vital to the Agency’s overall mission. May be assigned supervisory responsibilities depending on requirements of a particular contracting activity. The progression to Senior level positions are generally filled from within.
