Contracting Officer/Contracting Officer Representative Descriptions
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Contracting Officer: Contracting Officers (CO) have authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. COs may bind the Government only to the extent of the authority delegated to them. No contract shall be entered into unless the CO ensures that all requirements of law, executive orders, regulations, and all other applicable procedures, including clearances and approvals, have been met.
COs award and administer contracts in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and the Departmental and Bureau acquisition supplements. The FAR was developed in accordance with the requirements of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-400), as amended by Pub. L. 96-83.
The FAR, Department of the Interior, and Reclamation supplements may be found at the following websites:
- Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR): http://www.arnet.gov/far/
- Department of the Interior Acquisition Regulations (DIAR): http://www.doi.gov/pam/aindex.html
- Reclamation Acquisition Regulations (RAR): http://www.usbr.gov/pmts/acquisitions/RAR/rar.html
COs are responsible for ensuring performance of all necessary actions for effective contracting, ensuring compliance with the terms of the contract, and safeguarding the interests of the United States in its contractual relationships. In order to perform these responsibilities, contracting Officers should be allowed wide latitude to exercise business judgment. COs shall -
- Ensure that sufficient funds are available for obligation
- Ensure that contractors receive impartial, fair, and equitable treatment
- Identify and evaluate potential organizational conflicts of interest as early in the acquisition process as possible
- Award the contract to the apparent successful offeror
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Contracting Officer's Representative: A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) is a Government official appointed by the Contacting Officer who provides technical direction, clarification and guidance with respect to the contract specifications and statement of work. The COR is the technical liaison between the contractor and the Contracting Officer and is responsible for ensuring satisfactory performance and timely delivery as set forth in the contract. A COR is appointed in writing via a COR designation letter which sets out the COR's roles, responsibilities, limitations, duties and express authority for a specific contract. The COR plays the critical role in the contract administration process and functions as the "eyes and ears" of the Contracting Officer.
When, in the opinion of the contractor, the COR has deviated or requested effort outside the existing scope of the contract, the contractor shall take no action until the Contracting Officer has either modified the contract or resolved the issue.
The COR is not authorized to effect any changes in the work required under the contract; enter into any modification that has the effect of changing the terms and conditions of the contract or causes the contractor to incur costs; make a final decision on any contract matter which is subject to the Disputes clause; or terminate for any cause the contractor's right to proceed. The COR shall not supervise, direct, or control contractor employees.