While all Contracting Officers (CO) share the fundamental responsibility of binding the government to contracts, there are different types with specialized roles and duties.¹ Here are some of the main types you’ll encounter in the Air Force and across the federal government:

1. Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO):

• Focus: Primarily involved in the pre-award phase of the contracting process.
• Responsibilities:
  • Solicitation: Develops solicitations (e.g., Requests for Proposals (RFPs)), conducts market research, and publicizes contracting opportunities.
  • Proposal Evaluation: Reviews and evaluates proposals, conducts negotiations with potential contractors, and selects the best value offer.²
  • Award: Awards the contract and ensures all necessary documentation is in place.³

2. Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO):

• Focus: Manages the contract after it has been awarded (post-award phase).⁴
• Responsibilities:
  • Contract Administration: Oversees contractor performance, monitors compliance with contract terms, reviews invoices and payments, and manages contract modifications.⁵
  • Relationship Management: Serves as the primary point of contact between the government and the contractor, resolving issues and disputes that may arise.⁶
  • Contract Closeout: Ensures proper contract completion and documentation upon contract termination or expiration.⁷

3. Termination Contracting Officer (TCO):

• Focus: Handles contract terminations, both for convenience (e.g., the government no longer needs the goods or services) or for default (e.g., the contractor fails to perform).⁸
• Responsibilities:
  • Termination Process: Manages the termination process, including notifying the contractor, settling outstanding claims, and disposing of government property.⁹
  • Negotiation and Settlement: Negotiates settlement agreements with the contractor to resolve any outstanding liabilities.¹⁰

4. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR):

• Focus: Acts as the “eyes and ears” of the CO, providing technical expertise and oversight of contractor performance.
• Responsibilities:
  • Technical Monitoring: Monitors the contractor’s technical progress, inspects deliverables, and ensures compliance with technical specifications.
  • Performance Assessment: Provides input to the CO on the contractor’s performance, including any issues or concerns.
  • Communication: Facilitates communication between the CO and the contractor on technical matters.

5. Other Specialized Roles:

• Agreements Officers: Handle agreements, which are less formal than contracts but still legally binding.¹¹
• Grants Officers: Manage grants, which are typically awarded to non-profit organizations or educational institutions.

Key Points to Remember:

• Authority: COs have broad authority to bind the government, and their actions are subject to specific laws and regulations (e.g., the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)).¹²
• Warrant: COs are appointed in writing and receive a warrant that specifies their level of authority and the types of contracts they are authorized to manage.
• Delegation: COs can delegate certain responsibilities to other individuals, such as CORs, but they retain ultimate accountability for the contract.¹³

By understanding the roles and responsibilities of different contracting officers, contractors can navigate the complexities of government contracting more effectively and build strong working relationships with their government counterparts.