Procurement Officer I

Procurement Officer I is the full performance level of professional work, for State agency positions, in the procurement of equipment, services, construction, supplies, information technology and other needs which must be obtained through the competitive procurement process, negotiated procurement process and other procurement methods. Employees in this classification provide agency procurement technical interpretation, instruction, guidance and assistance in accordance with State laws and regulations. Employees in this classification do not supervise other Procurement Officer positions but may supervise clerical and support staff.

Employees in this classification at State agencies receive general supervision from a Procurement Manager I or other designated administrator. Employees in this classification at the State central procurement authority receive moderate supervision from a Procurement Manager I or other designated administrator. The work of employees located at the State central procurement authority may require travel throughout Maryland to perform on-site procurement audits, training, monitoring, compliance reviews at State agencies.

Develops contract specifications including performance and acceptance standards, payment terms, contract management elements, contract modifications, contract renewals and advertisement requirements in accordance with State procurement procedures, laws and regulations for the procurement of all necessary services, supplies, equipment, real estate, construction, indefinite quantity contracts, facilities maintenance and commodities;

Determines basis for contract awards and evaluation criteria;

Conducts pre-bid/pre-proposal conferences, site inspections, explains procurement requirements, establishes procurement procedures, and schedules, participates in, and conducts offerors’ discussions and contract negotiations;

Examines bid proposals to determine issues of responsiveness and responsibility and need for additional information;

Conducts bid openings for competitive procurements to determine whether offerors are qualified to be selected for award and may recommend proposals for awards;

Manages the advertisement of procurement opportunities, distributes specifications to vendors, conducts vendor conferences, receives and secures bid or proposals, oversees the evaluation process and contract award;

Assists with or conducts contract bidder debriefings;

Negotiates the most favorable prices, terms and conditions for noncompetitive sole source and emergency procurements;

Researches materials and provides testimony regarding Board of Public Works items and prepare documents for BPW contract approval;

Prepares minutes of pre-bid/pre-proposal conferences, addenda to Requests for Proposals (RFP)/Invitation for Bids (IFB) and answers written questions from potential bidders and offerors;

Assembles statistical and narrative data and prepares reports for use in evaluating State procurement activity and performance measurement;

Provides testimony in bid protest disputes;

Evaluates contractor’s performance against terms and conditions of contracts and recommends corrective actions, such as the application of damages, withholding of payment or termination of contract;

Confers with Assistant Attorney General’s Office regarding bid irregularities, contract disputes, protests, vendor compliance or appeals and Public Information Act requests;

Verifies Certificates of Insurance, Bonds and references for compliance with contract requirements;

Verifies Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) participation;

Implements new and revised fiscal policies, procedures and standards to capture complex procurement costs;

May provide advice and guidance to paraprofessional support staff;

Performs other related duties.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Two years of experience in contract management or procurement involving duties such as : soliciting, evaluating, negotiating and awarding contracts and ensuring compliance with governmental procurement laws, regulations and conditions.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute professional contract management experience or professional procurement experience, on a year-for-year basis, for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute certification as a Certified Public Manager from the National Association of Purchasing Management; Certified Professional Contracts Manager from the National Contract Management Association; Certified Public Purchasing Officer or Certified Professional Public Buyer from the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. or National Association of State Purchasing Officers) for the required education.

3. Candidates may substitute additional graduate education at an accredited college or university, at the rate of thirty credit hours for each year of the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Contracting, Industrial Management or logistics specialist classifications or administrative support specialty codes in the procurement or financial management fields of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle.  Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Employees in this classification who have not done so already must obtain and possess certification as a Procurement Professional from the Maryland Department of General Services within one year of appointment.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position.  You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire.  The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.   For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service is required prior to hire.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.