The Role of an Acquisition Utilization Specialist

Serves as acquisition liaison and advisor on contract related services focusing on critical clinical and healthcare services, product acquisition and support services required by project managers, program managers, upper management, and stakeholders on all aspects of procurement to include specialized services. Renders expert contract pre-award and post-award expertise to all Administrative and Clinical Services lines within the VA Healthcare System and supported catchment areas.

• Specialize in VA I-Care Practices 
• Certified in the VA Procurements, Procedures and Processes  
• Certified in the use of VA-Federal Supply Schedule (VA FSS) 
• Certified in VA Mandatory Marketing Sources   
• Develops procedures, policies, and supporting artifacts to ensure procurement activities are consistent with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), VA Acquisitions Regulations (VAAR) and other federal procurement laws and regulations
• Conducts analysis and recommends courses of actions to ensure that clinical and administrative service requirements have addressed considerations such as construction, budgeting, supporting manpower and other factors
• Establishes, expedites and reviews consolidation of all procurement packages including unique, emergent and complex requirements to meet timely and technical needs of assigned acquisitions;
• Develops and conducts presentations/recommendations to leadership and other stakeholders to explain regulations and procedures;
• Negotiates performance requirements among multiple sites and service lines in order to obtain agreement, standardize enterprise equipment, supply and/or service requirements in support of strategic acquisition plans;
• Establishes and maintains controls to ensure that contracts are executed in accordance with terms;
• Advises on all phases of negotiation with the contract specialist/contracting officer for contract modifications, change orders, supplemental agreements and delivery order processes including requirements, definition, justification and approval for service contract extension, method of contracting, evaluation of proposals and all phases of contract administration; and
• Monitors quality assurance surveillance plans to ensure that contracted services meet the expectations and needs of the facility.  

Introduction level 1 in the following VA Systems:

FORCE, IFCAP, ECMS, PD2, SHAREPOINT, PROGNET, Acquisition Knowledge Portal (AKP). 

The foundation elements of our [Level 1] training is defined below:  

 ** Specialized Certifications Holders