Procurement Specialist

Job Posted 12/7/2024
RAND The RAND Corporation
Santa Monica, CA
United States
Job Description

Job Type:

Regular

Procurement Specialist (Proposal Support)

RAND seeks a Procurement Specialist (Proposal Support) to serve as a member of the Procurement Services department. Under general guidance and supervision, the Procurement Specialist independently provides specialized procurement administrative support and performs low complexity subcontracting, purchasing, and subcontractor compliance activities during the full lifecycle of RAND's procurement awards.

The Procurement Specialist (Proposal Support) will provide proposal support with collection of required subcontractor documentation for a variety of federal, state, and local government, private foundations, nonprofit, and commercial clients/sponsors. This position works closely with the Procurement Subcontracting Team and Proposal Development Services (PDS) staff in supporting the collection and review of timely and compliant proposals documentation from identified subcontractors. They are responsible for all assigned tasks related to collecting proposal volumes documents, such as biosketches, statement of work, detailed budgets, budget justifications, letters of support, internal certification forms, and additional documents required by the clients/sponsors as stated in the request for proposal (RFP). When not engaged on proposals, the Proposal Specialist performs routine updates of proposal tools, resources, documents, and templates.

Additionally, the Procurement Specialist is responsible for internal proposal platform’s data management, ensuring Project Initiation Forms (PIFs) and Conflict of Interest (COI) processes are initiated and up to date for subcontractor related data. This position is likewise responsible for managing the proposal content repository and updating documents as necessary.

May perform any or all of the following duties

  • Subcontractor Classification – Performs subrecipient vs contractor (vendor) determinations at time of proposal, ensuring classifications follow RAND Procurement Policy and 2 CFR 200.331.

  • Proposal Support Items – Collects and reviews from identified subcontractors biosketches, statement of works, detailed budgets, budget justifications, letters of support, internal certification forms, and additional documents required by the clients/sponsors for inclusion into proposal volumes.

  • Data Management – Works within the internal proposal platform to maintain accurate proposal records and PIFs for subcontractor related data; ensures COI documentation for subcontractors subject to RAND’s COI policy is collected and recorded.

  • Maintain Proposal Documents and Templates – Maintains general proposal templates, tools, and other proposal resources for use by subcontractors for a variety of clients/sponsors.

  • Cross-functional collaboration – Works closely with PDS pricing analysts, Contracts and Grants Services, Procurement Services, Research and Analysis staff on proposal components and deliverables when subcontractors are involved.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 software (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.). Experience using electronic financial accounting system preferred.

  • Ability to provide high quality customer service in fast-paced environment while maintaining professional communication. Maintains professional communication at all times with researchers, administrative staff, subcontractors. Responds to voicemails, emails, and other correspondence in timely fashion.

  • Work effectively and collaboratively in a team environment, remotely and in person.

  • Ability to manage a large volume of tasks and competing priorities in a reliable and efficient manner.

  • Ability to learn, understand, interpret and communicate policies and regulations effectively.

  • Excellent interpersonal skills.

  • Ability to use good judgement, deal with ambiguity, and willingly explore alternatives and exceptions.

  • Ability to work independently

  • Ability to effectively balance customer service with while ensuring regulatory compliance.

  • Ability to work effectively, prioritize and be flexible in a high-paced, high-volume professional environment, and to conclude negotiations and execute awards in a timely manner.

  • Ability to analyze situations, identify workable solutions/alternatives and make appropriate determinations and/or recommendations resulting in minimal risk to RAND and, if applicable, award sponsors.

  • Ability to work effectively in a diverse, multicultural, multilayered environment.

Experience  
4 years minimum of relevant experience

Education

Minimum: High School or GED equivalent is required.

Preferred: BS/BA in business administration, accounting or similar disciplines.
 

Location(s)
This position will be located at one of the following RAND offices: Santa Monica, CA; Washington, DC; or Pittsburgh, PA. This position is eligible for RAND’s hybrid work environment, which enables a blend of on-site and remote work.

Salary Range:  $62,700 – $93,500

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. This position is overtime eligible. Successful candidates will be offered employment in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet