Contracting Officer Podcast Slides Knowledge & Insights From Contracting Officers

What is a Contracting Officer? Episode 007 What is a Contracting Officer? Original Air Date: December 29, 2014 Hosts: Kevin Jans & Paul Schauer

Formatting notes Hyperlinks: Blue font indicates hyperlinks – presentation must be in ‘Slide Show’ mode to activate the link Red bold font indicates a point of emphasis Green bold font indicates CO’s personal comment or perspective

Overview What is a Contracting Officer? How does one become a Contracting Officer? Different terms and titles for a Contracting Officer

When does the Contracting Officer happen? Acquisition Time Zones (from Podcast Episode 003) Requirements Zone Market Research Zone RFP Zone (Proposal zone) Source Selection Zone Execution Time Zones (from Podcast Episode 084) Kick Off Zone Performance Zone Re-compete Zone Wrap-up Zone

What is a Contracting Officer? Short Answer: Someone who spends our tax dollars Constitutionally authorized to buy goods and services for the US Government Long Answer: A Contracting Officer is someone who awards, administers, modifies and terminates contracts on behalf of the US Government See FAR 1.602 – Contracting Officers Holds purchasing authority delegated by the Head of the Agency

What does a Contracting Officer really do? FAR 1.602-1(b) – Authority Ensures that all requirements of law, executive orders, regulations, and all other applicable procedures, including clearances and approvals, have been met FAR 1.602-2 – Responsibilities In order to perform these responsibilities, contracting officers should be allowed wide latitude to exercise business judgment.

What does a Contracting Officer really do? Follow the rules (ie. KNOW the rules) Exercise business judgment Really, it’s a thinking-person’s job – Study the problem Learn and know the applicable laws, policies, regulations Decide the best course of action to solve the problem

How does one become a Contracting Officer? Appointed by Agency Head or designee (Agency’s senior contracting official) Not necessarily transferrable to other Agencies Must have requisite experience, training and education to be appointed At appointment, the CO receives a warrant to execute contracts Warrant describes ‘limit’ of purchasing authority, if any Warrant Board – Panel of experts that review warrant applications, interview the applicants, and determine whether an applicant should receive a warrant

How does one become a Contracting Officer? Process varies from agency to agency – most are very similar, but there are distinctions Contracting Officers are all different – there is no ‘blanket’ standard of experience or skills – each agency establishes its own standards of delegation of authority Typically, the first warrant is limited to the SAT – Simplified Acquisition Threshold After sufficient time and experience, warrant thresholds gradually increase to ‘unlimited’ Constitutionally authorized to spend US Government (ie. taxpayer) money

Key Terms (Types of CO) Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) Pre-award – Soliciting and Procuring (buying) the good or service Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) Post-award – Receives delegation to administer contract after award Terminating Contracting Officer (TCO) Post-award – Processes the termination (either for default or Government convenience)

Key Terms (Types of CO) TCO – Terminations are not easy, not many COs perform terminations Specialized skill “KO” Means “Contracting Officer,” but spelled differently to differentiate from “Commanding Officer” (military position) Contract Specialist – Contract Professional that is not currently warranted to sign

Other Purchasing Authority Not everyone with authority to buy government supplies is a warranted CO Micro-purchase (aka Government Purchase Card, or GPC) Currently up to $3000 per purchase Intended to simplify and expedite the acquisition process Reduces overhead and administrative burdens

Summary The FAR definition of a Contracting Officer – possesses delegated authority to spend government (taxpayer) money How COs are appointed – differs by agency Different terms and functions of a CO Other Purchasing Authority (micro-purchase – does not require a warrant)

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