After you bid
What is a contracting officer?
A contracting officer is the only person with authority to enter into, administer or terminate a federal contract on behalf of the government, and that authority is limited by a written warrant that states its dollar limits.
Also written as: CO, KO, contracting officer's representative, COR, warrant.
FAR 1.602-1 is unambiguous: contracting officers may bind the government only to the extent of the authority delegated to them, and information on the limits of their authority is readily available to the public and to prospective contractors. Nobody else can commit the government, regardless of seniority or how confidently they speak.
The contracting officer's representative — the COR — is a different role. A COR monitors technical performance and is usually your day-to-day contact, but a COR cannot change the contract, authorise extra work, or waive a requirement.
This is where small contractors lose money. Direction from a COR, a project engineer or a facility manager to do something outside the scope is not a contract modification, and performing it does not create an entitlement to be paid. Get it in writing from the contracting officer first.
What this means when you bid
If it is not signed by the contracting officer, it is not a change to your contract, however senior the person asking.
Where this definition comes from
Federal contracting is one of the few fields where the authoritative answer is free, public and one click away. These are the sources this page is built from — go and read them.
- FAR 1.602-1→
Authority.
- FAR 1.602-2→
Responsibilities.
- FAR 2.101→
Definition of contracting officer's representative.
This page explains a term in plain English and cites the authority it comes from. It is not legal advice, and the regulation governs where this page and the regulation differ.
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Contracting officer— common questions
- What is a contracting officer?
- A contracting officer is the only person with authority to enter into, administer or terminate a federal contract on behalf of the government, and that authority is limited by a written warrant that states its dollar limits.
- Why does a contracting officer matter when you are bidding?
- If it is not signed by the contracting officer, it is not a change to your contract, however senior the person asking.
Related terms
- FAR — Federal Acquisition Regulation
- Solicitation amendment
- Bid protest
- Debriefing