Procurement Counselor

Procurement Counselor

The George Mason University Mason Enterprise Center invites applications for a Procurement Counselor. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

Within the Mason Enterprise Center, the Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at George Mason University, an APEX Accelerator, is a non-profit organization funded by the Department of Defense and George Mason University. PTAC provides Government contracting assistance by offering marketing, counseling, and educational services to businesses throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. PTAC is headquartered in Fairfax, and covers 80 counties in Virginia, with satellite offices in Fredericksburg, and Virginia Beach, VA.

This position has an emphasis in Richmond and surrounding communities.

Responsibilities:

The Procurement Counselor provides training and counseling to Virginia businesses in all aspects of federal and state/local procurement. These services include instruction in methods for submitting bids and proposals, billing and execution of contracted work, and also include securing applicable socio-economic certifications such as 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB/EDWOSB, SDVOSB, and State specific registration. This often fast paced position will interact on a consistent basis with business representatives, and representatives of government agencies at local, state, and federal levels. This position typically will advise and counsel business representatives including owners and managers. The Procurement Counselor provides a full range of government business development counseling services to clients who wish to conduct business with the federal, state, and local governments. The Procurement Counselor also acts as PTAC representative/liaison to Federal Agencies, statewide organizations, and partners.

Government Contracting Counseling:

• Ensure PTAC client’s SAM and Dynamic Small Business Search are thoroughly filled out to provide the best snapshot of the firms’ competencies;
• Determine eligibility of firm’s ability to achieve socioeconomic certifications for HUBZone, 8(a) and WOSB/EDWOSB, Mentor Protégé, and SDVOSB verification;
• Advise clients about the advantages and disadvantages associated with teaming arrangements and the various regulations governing subcontracting and joint ventures;
• Provide clients information about the government’s competition policies, contract types, procurement methods, and source selection processes;
• Perform assessments of clients’ draft responses to government solicitations and provide recommendations to improve their chances of winning more government contracts and subcontracts;
• Provide clients information about government procurement policies, rules, regulations, and processes;
• Provide clients recommended courses of action to resolve government solicitation, prime contract, subcontract, contract management, and/or performance issues; and
• Maintain current, accurate, and complete electronic records for all counseling sessions and administrative actions in support of the PTAC mission.

Procurement Training:

Assist with the development of government contracting presentations, workshops, and outreach events; and

Lead government contracting workshops and provide formal presentations to small businesses and external constituents within the PTAC’s service area.

Outreach:

Establish and maintain relationships with government buyers and partners (incl. universities, economic development organizations, major prime contractors, State Procurement professionals, legislators, chambers of commerce, and other business groups); and

Represent Virginia PTAC at industry trade shows, conferences, and matchmaking/outreach events as an exhibitor and/or speaker.

Success Stories:

• Identify/write a minimum of 1 success story per quarter drawing from counseling client’s contract awards or other achievements eligible as an official DoD (Department of Defense) reportable success story. Confirm content with Statewide Director, submit to client for their approval and signature on company letterhead per DoS requirements.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Excellent time management skills for managing own appointments/documentation;
• Skill in providing highly effective customer service;
• Proficiency in analytical market research;
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite software (especially Outlook), familiarity with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, and experience operating video-conferencing equipment and software, such as MS Teams or Zoom;
• Ability to communicate and coordinate with a wide variety of people and organizations;
• Ability to exercise confidentiality and protection of client information;
• Professional experience in federal procurement regulations;
• Experience in bid/proposal preparation and contract administration/close-out;
• Ability to travel throughout the central Virginia area, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and Warrenton if client site meetings are needed;
• Ability to manage multiple projects/tasks in a dynamic work environment;
• Ability to pursue professional development training as prescribed by the Statewide Director; and
• Ability to work toward and obtain APTAC APP certification within the first 2 years of employment, and CPP certification within 3 years. May substitute CFCM or CPCM through NCMA in lieu of APTAC APP certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience owning and operating a small business and/or advising on business growth strategies within the government sector;
• Experience as a federal or state/local contract specialist/analyst/buyer; and
• Experience with successfully applying for Federal and Virginia small business preference/set-aside programs.

Special Instructions to Applicants  

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number 10649Z at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.