Ardent Eagle Solutions Looking for Researcher/Evaluator Full Time

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

In 2017, the Department of Commerce (DOC) was asked to conduct an investigation into the impact on our national security from imports of steel mill products and from imports of wrought and unwrought aluminum. These investigations were carried out under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended. On January 11, 2018, the DOC formally submitted to President Trump the results of the investigation. On March 8, 2018 President Trump announced Presidential Proclamations 9704 and 9705 ordering Section 232 tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum. The Secretary of Commerce has the authority to grant exclusions from the duties, “if the steel or aluminum articles are determined not to be in a sufficient and reasonable available amount or of a satisfactory quality or based upon specific national security considerations.” Individuals or organizations using steel articles in business activities or supplying steel to users in the U.S. may submit exclusion requests with respect to the Proclamation. In addition, any individual or organization in the U.S. can file objections to exclusions. The DOC’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has the lead on national security analysis. The Enforcement and Compliance (E&C) unit of the DOC’s International Trade Administration is responsible for providing technical analyses for product exclusions related to the proceedings and submitting a recommendation to BIS on whether the technical merits of the request and objections warrant approving or denying the exclusion request. Currently, E&C does not have sufficient staff resources with the expertise required to evaluate the exclusion requests and objections to requests. Information on the exclusion procedures can be found here: https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/232-steel

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Evaluators shall be responsible for conducting deep-dive reviews to determine, at a granular level, the ability of U.S. steel and aluminum producers to supply specific steel and aluminum products required by individual domestic U.S. consumers. Knowledge of the U.S. steel and aluminum industries and downstream markets, while not required, is beneficial. Analysis will include evaluation of information submitted by outside parties, as well as advice provided by the Government’s designated steel/aluminum subject matter expert, to determine whether objecting parties can produce and deliver in a timely basis, and in sufficient quantity, the identical product being requested, or a reasonable substitute. The substance of such analysis, including a recommendation as to whether to approve or deny each exclusion request, will be submitted to the Review Team for substantive and quality control review. Certain evaluators shall be assigned to specialized supporting roles. Such roles include, at a minimum, training coordination, coordination with the Government’s designated steel/aluminum subject matter expert and uploading final recommendation memoranda to a web portal. Evaluators conducting such specialized activities will report to the Senior Project Manager.

• Conducts comprehensive analyses in an effort to inquire, examine, find or revise facts, principles, and theories for internal use by an organization.
• Prepares investigative reports entailing the examination of public records or other specific information sources to reach a conclusive decision point.
• Considers numerous factors, such as whether the product is currently being produced in the United States, whether substitution of the product is possible, whether qualification requirements affect the requestor’s ability to use domestic products, inventories, and whether the requested product is under development by a U.S. producer who will imminently be able to produce it in marketable quantities and any other relevant factors.
• Must be able to work both independently and in teams and will report to a Project Manager.

Requires 2 years of related experience.

EDUCATION:

• Requires BS/BA in an analytical discipline

LOCATION/HOURS OF OPERATION:

• Contractor support shall be performed exclusively via telework. Meetings shall be conducted via telephone, or a video conferencing medium provided by DOC. Occasional in-person meetings with DOC staff may be required at DOC’s headquarters in the Herbert C. Hoover Building (HCHB) located at 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20230.
• Under this task order, the Contractor is responsible for conducting business, Monday thru Friday during normal business hours except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings.

TRAVEL:

• Travel is not required under this task order

Ardent Eagle Solutions (AES) is a dynamic and growing small business supporting the Federal Government, Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers worldwide. AES is focused on the success and growth of its employees while providing outstanding support to our customers and their mission(s).

At Ardent Eagle Solutions, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees and their families:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage
• Matching 401(k) Plan
• Continuing Education Assistance
• Paid Time Off

This job description is intended to describe the general scope of work and level of work that is needed to perform while on task with Ardent Eagle Solutions. Other duties may be assigned.

Ardent Eagle Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer