
Posted 3 days ago
Program Manager / Senior Contract Specialist
AI Summary
Leads a team of Contract Specialists delivering full-lifecycle acquisition support to CDC, serving as the single point of accountability for contract performance, workforce management, and deliverables.
About this role
Parra Consulting Group (PCG) is seeking a Program Manager / Senior Contract Specialist to lead a team of Contract Specialists delivering full-lifecycle acquisition support to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of Acquisition Services (OAS), Office of Safety, Security and Asset Management (OSSAM). This is a Key Personnel role serving as PCG's single point of accountability for contract performance, workforce management, and deliverables.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as PCG's single point of accountability for contract performance, workforce management, deliverables, and issue resolution across the OSSAM, NIOSH/WTCHP, and Additional Support workstreams.
- Direct and prioritize the work of assigned Contract Specialists; manage staffing assignments, workload distribution, and cross-training to eliminate single points of failure.
- Serve as the primary liaison to the Government Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), maintaining a single point of contact during core hours and remaining reachable for urgent matters outside core hours.
- Conduct peer review of all work products prior to submission to the CO/COR, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and regulatory compliance (FAR, HHSAR, CDC local policy).
- Oversee the full acquisition lifecycle for assigned requirements — pre-award market research and solicitation development through post-award administration, modifications, option exercises, and closeout.
- Prepare and submit required deliverables on schedule, including weekly status reports, bi-weekly Teams update meetings, monthly progress reports, and Monthly Contractor Activity/Expense Reports.
- Manage quality assurance, including checklist-based contract file review and written corrective action plans for any valid customer complaint within 48 hours.
- Serve as PCG's CPARS point of contact, proactively engaging with the COR on performance assessment inputs throughout the period of performance.
- Maintain staffing continuity, including a bench of pre-vetted, certified acquisition professionals available for rapid deployment to meet the QASP standard of less than a two-week staffing gap.
- Track and implement evolving acquisition regulations, including the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFAR/FAR 2.0), and ensure all contract files and solicitations remain current.
- Coordinate directly with OAS leadership, the CO, and the COR to resolve issues and maintain continuous compliance with contract requirements.
- Obtain Contracting Officer written consent prior to any replacement of Key Personnel, in accordance with HHSAR 352.237-75.
- Perform other related acquisition management duties as required in support of mission operations, continuity, and contract requirements, as directed by the Government CO/COR.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required.
- 7+ years of experience in program management, contracting, or acquisition planning (or a combination thereof).
- FAC-C certification, current or previous (minimum 5 years), or civilian equivalent; ICE (Integrated Contracts Expert) experience preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years in a supervisory or program management role overseeing acquisition or contracting staff.
- DAWIA Contracting Professional certification (or equivalent) strongly preferred; CFCM/CPCM (NCMA) credentials a plus.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the federal acquisition lifecycle and applicable regulations, including FAR Parts 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, and 16, and HHSAR.
- Direct experience with federal contract writing and reporting systems (e.g., ICE, PIEE/WAWF/IPP, CPARS, JAM, EDA, Beta.sam.gov, GSA eBuy) or analogous systems (e.g., CMS, PD2/SPS, SeaPort NxG).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to lead client meetings, brief leadership, and manage CO/COR relationships.
- Proven ability to lead a team in a high-operational-tempo environment while managing multiple, unevenly distributed priorities.
Why Join PCG
Parra Consulting Group offers a mission-focused, collaborative environment where your expertise directly supports the federal acquisition mission. PCG provides competitive compensation, 100% employer-paid medical/dental/vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and an unlimited PTO plan to ensure professional growth and work-life balance.