Procurement and Contracts Attorney

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. This position is a Procurement and Contracts Attorney in the System Contracting Department. The System Contracting Department is one of seven departments in the Legal Services Division of the HHS Office of Chief Counsel (OCC). System Contracting provides legal support related to HHS procurement and contract activities, including: reviewing, drafting, and negotiating solicitation documents, contracts, amendments, memoranda of understanding, and interagency agreements; interpreting state and federal laws, regulations, and rules; and rendering legal advice and counsel to HHS agency personnel on procurement and contracting issues. This position performs highly complex legal work with respect to the agency’s procurements, grants, contracting, and enforcement of contracts to ensure agency and contractor compliance with state and federal laws and regulations regarding contracts. Duties include legal review, drafting, advice and opinions on contracts, grants, and procurement matters. System Contracting attorneys represent the agency in procurement matters, contract negotiations and disputes, including protests and contract-related claims, as well as other matters as requested by agency management. System Contracting attorneys also participate in assigned projects that may include development of policies, rules, procedures and forms, together with review and implementation of legislative changes. The successful candidate will collaborate with program managers and procurement professionals on a wide variety of healthcare contracts that impact the daily lives of Texans.

Requirements

Knowledge of fundamentals of contract law, government procurement law, and Texas state agency contracts. Knowledge in reviewing, developing, negotiating, and management of contracts and grants.
Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings. Knowledge of federal and state statutes, regulations, and policies affecting health and human services agency programs. Knowledge of Texas procurement and contracting laws.
Skill in efficient legal research including use of Westlaw and other internet legal research. Skill in conducting research, to summarize findings, and to use legal reference materials. Skill in foreseeing legal implications of contract terms and procurement and contract actions and providing legal advice accordingly.
Exceptionally skilled in oral and written communication to a wide range of audiences. Skill in identifying relevant legal issues. Skill in organizing and expressing complex legal problems clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing. Skill in preparing opinions, contracts, rules, and policies and procedures. Skill in preparing high-quality, complex procurement and contractual documents. Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions. Skill in demonstrating sound judgment and reasonable tolerance of ambiguity in the performance of job duties.
Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with clients, other government officers and employees, and stakeholder groups. Skill in operating a personal computer and other basic office equipment. Skill in articulating legal concepts to management and other stakeholders. Skill in providing legal representation in administrative or contested case hearings.
Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities. Ability to utilize legal experience and training to assist in developing policies and training to safeguard funds flowing to the agency, minimize liability and avoid risk to clients. Ability to analyze moderately complex to advanced factual and legal issues related to a wide variety of federal and state laws. Ability to make efficient use of time and resources. Ability to think creatively and apply clear, logical problem-solving techniques. Ability to maintain professional and collegial relations with all levels of management and staff at the Commission, as well as with other agencies’ management and staff and the public.
Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas. Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
Must hold a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
Admission to the State Bar of Texas and five years’ experience in the practice of law required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with contract drafting, review and negotiation preferred.
Experience with IT contracting, government procurement, and federally funded contracts preferred.

Responsibilities

Reviews, revises and drafts complex contracts and solicitation documents (including, but not limited to, Requests for Proposals, Requests for Offers, Requests for Qualifications, Requests for Applications, and Invitations for Bids) in accordance with agency’s legal authority and in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations relating to contracts and contract management.
Supports agency staff in negotiations with vendors and advises agency staff as necessary on such contracts.
Advises agency staff on federal and state contract laws and regulations. Reviews and drafts legal instruments and regulations and provides legal advice regarding contracting, procurement, and enforcement. Provides legal assistance on adverse actions involving contracts. Consults with management concerning legal ramifications of possible changes in overall contract practices and procedures. Represents the agency in procurement matters, contract negotiations, and disputes, including protests and contract-related claims, as well as other matters as requested by agency management. Assists in representing the agency in administrative or contested case hearings.
Performs additional duties as assigned, including, but not limited to, drafting substantive legal documents, including opinions, briefs, and memoranda that include analysis of agency authority under state and federal law; and both proposed and enacted state and federal legislation.