Contracts & Grants Manager (9102-47)
MDRC is seeking a Contracts and Grants Manager for its Finance Department. MDRC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan education and social policy research organization that studies and designs approaches to problems confronting education; low-income children, families, and communities; low-wage workers; and people who have serious barriers to employment. The C&G manager will be responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing all pre- and post-award contracts and grants management functions. The Contracts and Grants Manager will serve as the principle source of information and advice on laws, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to contracts and grants management.
Essential Functions:
General
- Manage full lifecycle of all award/contract administration and management functions in close collaboration with Finance, Legal, and Program staff, including:
- reviewing award agreements, including:
- evaluation of terms and conditions for business risks
- soliciting and documenting feedback from other departments for input into the negotiation process
- documenting review and approval of agreements for execution
- documenting restrictions and key compliance requirements
- conducting periodic reviews to ensure that contract and grant management activities are compliant with all applicable federal and non-federal funding rules and regulations and award terms and conditions
- coordinating other contractual and financial matters to ensure all obligations and reporting requirements are met in accordance with all applicable federal and non-federal funding rules and regulations and award terms and conditions
- managing contract close out
- managing retention of all relevant contractual documents in compliance with audit requirements
- Serve as main point of contact with staff on matters related to award/subcontract/vendor agreement administration and/or compliance.
- Implement and maintain contract lifecycle management software.
- Manage central repository of all contracts, grants, work orders, modifications, vendor agreements, non-monetary agreements (e.g., teaming agreements, memoranda of understanding, non-disclosure agreements, etc.), and other contract management instruments, as necessary.
Pre-award activities
- Conduct the first level of review of solicitations/Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and communicate concerns to business development staff, technical team, and others. The initial review would include interpreting funder regulations and restrictions, identifying key compliance requirements and clarifying compliance issues, and identifying possible business risks.
Compliance
- Maintain an up-to-date awareness of current and changing funder regulations, policies, and procedures (including Federal Acquisition Regulations [FAR], Uniform Guidance, Cognizant Audit Agency, and organizational policy requirements) and answer most questions on major regulations without assistance.
- Contribute to internal compliance reviews/audits as directed by management as well as support external financial or funding agency audits.
Procurement
- Develop and document internal procurement policies, procedures, and guidelines with input from Finance, Legal, and other departments as needed.
- Negotiate federal acquisition and/or Uniform Guidance terms and conditions, including but not limited to NDAs, TAs, subcontract agreements, commercial vendor terms, and equipment lease and maintenance agreements in accordance organizational procurement policies and guidelines.
- Manage procurement processes, including:
- developing and reviewing Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Quotes (RFQs), and other solicitations for bids,
- managing responses, evaluation, and selection of winning bids
- ensuring selections comply with funding regulations and internal policies.
- Perform due diligence and financial reviews of subcontractors, consultants, and vendors.
- Review documentation and terms and conditions for subawards and procurements; verify completeness and availability of sufficient funding.
- Oversee full lifecycle of subaward management from pre-award, award, monitoring, and close out of subaward based on funder rules and regulations and internal policies and procedures.
- Develop and manage small business subcontracting program, including:
- drafting of small business solicitation document
- managing proposal evaluation and selection process
- maintaining a database of selected small business partners
- managing and maintaining small business subcontracting plans
- Preparing and submitting eSRS and other requisite small business subcontracting program compliance reports
Award Management
- Manage all Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) master task order contracts, including preparation of IDIQ Master Task Order proposals, exercise of options on master contracts, contract renewals, managing relationships with contract officers, and collaborating with staff responsible for individual task order contract administration to ensure compliance with contract restrictions and reporting requirements.
- Provide award start-up support, including issuing notification of awards and modifications and distributing official documentation to Project Financial Services staff agreements.
- Prepare and submit federal NICRA proposal annually.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience with 10-15 years of relevant experience.
- CFCM and/or CPCM preferred but not required.
- In-depth knowledge of the FAR, Uniform Guidance, and contract types, including GSA contracting
- Knowledge of the Service Contract Act (SCA) and Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) requirements
- Extensive understanding of the business environment in the federal marketplace and the ability to analyze complex government solicitation documents, contractual documents, and federal regulations and guidelines
The position is based in MDRC’s New York City office with some on-the-job training. Salary and level will be commensurate with experience; comprehensive fringe benefits offered.
MDRC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. MDRC does not discriminate, and all qualified applications will receive consideration without regard to race; color; national origin; religion; creed; sex or gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression); sexual orientation; citizenship status; pregnancy; disability; age; military or veteran status; marital or partnership status; genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status; prior unemployment status; consumer credit history; status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking; or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Legal work authorization is required.