Bids and Contract Specialist - Proposal Specialist GSUSA The Manager, Bids and Contracts oversees and coordinates contract related projects and strategic outreach that ensure they benefit one another and meet business goals. The Manager, Bids and Contracts works with and reports to the Vice President of Business Development in pursuit of meeting the strategic goals of academic excellence, strategic enrollment growth, and organization effectiveness through the strategic and intentional effort of discovering and leveraging contracts in the federal and commercial markets. Responsibilities:
Build and maintain standard practices for the Bids and Contracts Department
Build a project (contract) intake system for outreach team to ensure that each contract response meets a minimal standard
Collaborates with leaders in marketing, legal, finance and IT regarding requirements related to contract responses.
Collaborates with the Provost, Deans, Instructors, Program Directors, and other academic leaders in planning and development of programs and initiatives
Collaborates with outreach team to find, monitor, and respond to contract opportunities
Organize daily activities based on the goals of the organization
Devise new programs that support the organizational objectives
Determine sustainable project management goals for the organization
Work within an established budget
Evaluate and assess the programs strengths and weaknesses
Monitoring projects and overseeing all matrixed personnel to ensure goals are met
Assure that the Federal Supply Schedule pricelist is current and uploaded to website
Meeting with project (contract) stakeholders to discuss status and goals
List and monitor all federal acquisition portals
Identify commercial bid opportunities
Maintain an electronically shared program management folder with each project
Build and maintain a standard template for contract proposals, Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Information (RFI), boilerplate language and other standard templates
Build and maintain a past performance repository
Stay current and act as corporate expert on the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations)
Build and maintain relationships with the GSA (General Services Agency) and OPM (Office of Personnel Management)
Win and maintain critical federal government contracts including the General Services Agency (GSA) education schedule contract(s)
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Administration and Management – Knowledge of business and management principles involved in business and account planning, resource allocation, leadership, and coordination of people and resources
Communication –Excellent ability to communicate information and ideas in writing and speaking so others will understand. Keen understanding of technical writing and writing to specifications
Collegial – Pleasant with others on the job, ability to partner with others, willing to accept coaching and direction
Self-Control – Maintain composure, keep emotions in check, control anger, and avoid aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations
Critical Thinking – Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
Data-driven – capable of understanding how to identify and interpret data needed to solve complex business problems
Initiative and Self Starter – Willing and able to take on responsibilities and challenges in response to changing business conditions
Innovation – Creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems
Leadership – Willing and able to lead; take charge, and offer opinions and direction
Management of Personal Resources – Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job, managing some remote workers.
Competent with Technology - Capable of managing and leading others in navigating the online environment, understands Project Management software, Salesforce.com, data warehouse and dashboard reporting, Student Information System, HR and Faculty and Personnel related tools and/or willing to learn what is needed. A complete understanding of Microsoft 365 Suite.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Experience in Higher Education and a demonstrated knowledge of the structure, intricacies, and nuances of the industry
5-10 years of federal government bids and contracts experience and connections with the related communities (business, academic, government, etc.). Demonstrated success in doing this in an education and University environment is a plus
Proven experience as a team-builder
Degree Level Required:
Bachelor’s Degree Required
Certifications Required:
PMP Certification Preferred
About Us: Founded in 1921, Graduate School USA (GSUSA) is an independent, not-for-profit educational institution based in Washington, DC, offering workforce training and services across the U.S. and around the world. The organization is a leading provider of professional development and training courses for the federal government and private sector, serving organizations and individuals with programs designed to support organizational missions, career and occupational development, and the personal ambitions of adult learners. GSUSA’s courses and programs are delivered by instructors with real-world government experience, including customized training solutions, distance education, and leadership training. Graduate School USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.