Contracts Sr Specialist - Federal

Description & Requirements

The Senior Contracts Specialist is responsible for managing complex contract activities across both federal and state programs.

This role requires expertise in FAR/DFARS-governed federal contracts, State appeals (IDRE) contracts, and proposal development support.

The specialist will serve as a key advisor to internal stakeholders, providing guidance on contract interpretation, risk mitigation, negotiation strategies, and proposal compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Administration & Compliance:

-Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, subcontracts, and amendments for federal and state programs.

-Ensure compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), DFARS, and state-specific requirements.

Proposal Support:

-Collaborate with business development and proposal teams to review RFPs, RFQs, and solicitations.

-Provide guidance on contractual terms, compliance requirements, and risk assessment during proposal preparation.

-Assist in developing cost and pricing narratives, certifications, and representations as required.

State Appeals (IDRE) Expertise:

-Manage contracts related to Independent Dispute Resolution Entity (IDRE) processes for state appeals.

-Interpret state regulations and ensure adherence to timelines and procedural requirements.

Compliance & Risk Management:

-Monitor contract performance and identify potential risks or compliance issues.

-Maintain accurate records and documentation for audits and reporting.

Stakeholder Support:

-Advise program managers and leadership on contractual obligations and regulatory requirements.

-Collaborate with legal, finance, and operations teams to resolve contract-related issues.

Process Improvement:

-Develop and implement best practices for contract administration and compliance monitoring.

-Support training initiatives for internal teams on contract policies and procedures.

Skills and Qualifications



* Minimum 3-5 years of experience in contract management.


* Proven experience with FAR/DFARS and federal contracting requirements.


* Strong knowledge of State appeals (IDRE) processes and related contract structures.


* Demonstrated experience supporting proposal development, including RFP analysis and compliance review.


* Strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.


* Proficiency in contract management systems and Microsoft Office Suite.


* Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

- Lead compliance tracking in all areas of performance required by the contracts and vendor agreements.

- Provide client, project, operations and corporate compliance reporting and analytics.

- Monitor and reports on Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

- Meet with subcontractors, vendors and third party auditors.

- Develop business continuity, disaster recovery and document archiving reports.

- Oversight of external auditors and vendor quality assurance audi...