Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)

A Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) (FAR 106.4) is an individual authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer to perform specific technical or administrative contract functions. The COR must receive a written designation of their authority to act on behalf of the contracting officer. (DFARS Subsection 201.602-2). COR responsibilities include monitoring the contractor’s performance and performing other duties specified in the appointment letter but they are not authorized to make any commitments or changes that will affect price, quality, quantity, delivery, or any other term or condition of a contract.

Definition: A Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is an individual authorized in writing by a Contracting Officer to act as a liaison between the government and contractor when executing specific technical and administrative functions and surveillance responsibilities.

What is the Job of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

The COR is critical in handling contracts and ensuring they are completed correctly. Typically, the COR monitors and regulates how the contract operates and how effectively it is performing. CORs ensure the government receives what it needs by requiring contractors to produce high-quality solutions on schedule. They also play a crucial role for our contractors by ensuring that the government monitors things, reviewing and accepting contract deliverables, and ensuring that contract payments are done accurately and on schedule.

Purpose of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

The purpose of the COR is to help the contracting officer be the eyes and ears of a contract by monitoring the technical or administrative aspects of contractor performance during the life cycle of the contract.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Qualification Requirements

Contracting Officers may designate qualified personnel as their authorized representatives to assist in a contract’s technical monitoring or administration. DoD Instruction 5000.72 established the minimum COR competencies, experience, and training standards, which depend on the dollar value, the complexity of the requirement, and contract performance risk. A COR: [1]

Must be a Government employee unless otherwise authorized in agency regulations.
Must be qualified by training and experience commensurate with the responsibilities to be delegated in accordance with department/agency guidelines.
May not be delegated responsibility to perform functions at a contractor’s location that have been delegated under FAR 42.202(a) to a contract administration office.
May not be delegated authority to make any commitments or changes that affect price, quality, quantity, delivery, or other terms and conditions of the contract.
Must be designated in writing, and a copy must be furnished the contractor and the contract administration office:
- Specifying the extent of the COR’s authority to act on behalf of the contracting officer;
- Identifying the limitations on the COR’s authority;
- Specifying the period covered by the designation;
- Stating the authority is not redelegate; and
- Stating that the COR may be personally liable for unauthorized acts.
Must maintain a file for each contract assigned. This file must include, as a minimum:
- A copy of the contracting officer’s letter of designation and other documentation describing the COR’s duties and responsibilities; and
- Documentation of actions taken in accordance with the delegation of authority.

Contract Officer’s Representative (COR) Main References

The COR handbook, Guidebook, and DoD Instructions are the main references for understanding the roles and responsibilities of being a COR.

Guidebook: Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Guidebook – Oct 22

Handbook: DoD Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Handbook – 22 March 12

Instruction: DoD Instruction 5000.72 “DoD Standard for (COR) Certification” – 31 Aug 2018

GSAM 501.604 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

Excerpt from the General Services Acquisition Manual (GSAM) regarding the COR.

(a) The COR’s role is to develop proper requirements and ensure during contract administration the contractors meet the commitments of their contracts, including the timeliness and delivery of quality goods and services as required by the contract.
(b) FAC-COR Certification. When required and regardless of series, employees, must complete the GSA certification and training requirements to obtain and maintain an active Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer’s Representative (FAC-COR) at the appropriate level in the career management system of record. COs determine the certification level required for each delegation of contract administration as described in the COR appointment letter.

Website: GSAM 501.604 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Contract File

Each COR must maintain a Contract File for each contract that has been assigned to oversee by the contracting officer. The Contract File must contain the following at a minimum: (FAR 1.604)

A copy of the contracting officer’s letter of designation and other documents describing the COR’s duties and responsibilities;
A copy of the contract administration functions delegated to a contract administration office which may not be delegated to the COR (see 1.602-2(d)(4)); and
Documentation of COR actions taken in accordance with the delegation of authority.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Types

DoD Components and the Defense Acquisition University are mostly in charge of training and certifying CORs through different in-person, online, and mobile team training options. The COR can sign up for and take classes at the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) or the DoD Component. There are three types of COR certification standards:

Type A: fixed price, low-performance risk requirements.
Type B: other than fixed price, low-performance risk requirements.
Type C: unique requirements requiring a professional license, higher education, or specialized training.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Tracking Tool (CORT)

CORT Tool is a web management capability for the appointment of CORs. This Tool allows a perspective COR, COR Supervisor, and Contracting Officer to electronically process the nomination of CORs for one or multiple contracts. It provides a built-in nomination workflow to include email alerts/status reminders for monthly status report due-ins and delinquencies. The CORT Tool provides contracting personnel and requiring activities the means to track and manage COR assignments across multiple contracts across DoD.

What is NOT the Job of a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

Assure or approve additional work.
Engage in business with subcontractors without the prime’s approval or guidance.
Give out financial details
Permit modifications to the contract or relinquish any of its terms and restrictions.
Expand the contract’s financial cap, approve work above the contract’s maximum amount, or approve the use of cash.
Instruct the contractor or its staff unless otherwise specified in the contract.
Modify the performance’s duration.
Permit the acquisition of equipment beyond what is specified in the contract.
Permit to provide government property, unless otherwise specified in the contract.
Permit to hire consultants or to outsource.
Accept changes in funding between the budget’s line items.
Accept travel and relocation costs in excess of those specified in the contract.
Give permission to use overtime
Give orders to cease work.

AcqLinks and References:

Updated: 2/24/2024

Rank: G10.5

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