Telecommunications Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Telecommunications Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide technical, acquisition, and contractual advisory support to a Federal Government Program Manager overseeing a multi-billion-dollar telecommunications services contract.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience supporting Federal enterprise telecommunications environments, complex systems engineering initiatives, and Federal acquisition activities. This position requires exceptional written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and/or the FAA Acquisition Management System (AMS).

Experience supporting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operating environment and knowledge of network/cybersecurity practices are highly desirable but not required.

• Serve as a senior telecommunications and acquisition advisor to the Government Program Manager.

• Develop an in-depth understanding of the existing telecommunications contract, including its CLIN structure, service offerings, ordering rules, technical specifications, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and tailored contract clauses.

• Draft contractual correspondence for the Contracting Officer (CO).

• Review and edit contractual correspondence developed by Government and contractor personnel.

• Analyze correspondence received from the network service provider and recommend appropriate courses of action and responses to the Government Program Manager.

• Collaborate with Government telecommunications engineers to develop requirements for new telecommunications capabilities.

• Ensure new technical requirements are structured consistently with existing contractual requirements, specifications, and terminology.

• Prepare Request for Proposal (RFP) packages for issuance to the network service provider.

• Review contractor proposals and provide technical, contractual, and programmatic feedback.

• Prepare and review Program Control Board documentation supporting minor contract changes.

• Develop clarification requests and review/edit clarification requests prepared by other team members.

• Assist Government personnel with developing negotiation and counter-offer positions.

• Review contract deliverables for technical and contractual compliance.

• Collect and analyze information supporting program metrics and respond to Government data calls.

• Develop executive-level briefings, technical summary papers, and decision-support materials for FAA senior management.

For new telecommunications service and equipment requirements, the SME may also:

• Draft Requests for Information (RFIs) for release to industry.

• Evaluate industry responses and prepare market research reports.

• Develop required FAA AMS acquisition artifacts, including Mission Need Statements, Shortfall Analyses, Implementation Plans, Business Case Analyses, and related documentation.

• Develop competitive solicitations for telecommunications services, equipment, and capabilities.

• Participate in source evaluations as an evaluator or technical/acquisition advisor.

• Prepare technical and acquisition evaluation reports.

• Serve as an advisor to Source Evaluation Boards.

• Support post-award and unsuccessful-offeror out-briefings.

• Provide technical and acquisition recommendations throughout the procurement lifecycle.

• 15+ years of relevant professional experience.

• At least 10 years of experience performing complex systems engineering and implementation support associated with Federal Government enterprise communications or telecommunications systems.

• Demonstrated experience working for or with commercial telecommunications carriers/network service providers.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and/or FAA Acquisition Management System (AMS) Lifecycle and Acquisition Management Policy.

• Significant experience supporting enterprise telecommunications systems, services, requirements, and acquisition activities.

• Ability to understand and evaluate complex telecommunications technical specifications, service offerings, SLAs, and contractual requirements.

• Experience developing or reviewing technical requirements, solicitations, proposals, contract modifications, or acquisition documentation.

• Exceptional written communication skills, including the ability to prepare contractual correspondence, technical papers, acquisition documentation, and executive-level briefings.

• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical and contractual issues to Government leadership.

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to independently develop recommendations for complex technical, acquisition, and contractual issues.

Candidates must meet one of the following education and experience combinations:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Mathematics, Science, or a related technical discipline, plus a Master's degree, or

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Science, or a related technical discipline plus four (4) additional years of relevant professional experience above the minimum labor category experience requirement.

• Previous experience supporting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or working within the FAA operating environment.

• Working knowledge of network security and cybersecurity practices.

• Experience supporting large-scale Federal telecommunications contracts.

• Experience with telecommunications carrier services, enterprise WAN/network services, service ordering, provisioning, and performance management.

• Experience preparing or reviewing AMS artifacts, RFIs, RFPs, market research reports, source-selection documentation, and proposal evaluations.

• Experience advising senior Federal Government program, technical, acquisition, and contracting personnel.

The successful candidate will combine deep enterprise telecommunications expertise with a strong understanding of Federal acquisition and contracting processes. This individual must be comfortable operating at both the technical and programmatic levels—working with telecommunications engineers on detailed requirements while also advising Government leadership on contractual actions, acquisitions, proposals, negotiations, and program decisions.