A Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) 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 important in managing contracts and ensuring they are done correctly. Usually, the COR is in charge of keeping an eye on and managing how the contract works and how well it is doing. CORs ensure that the government gets what they need by ensuring that contractors deliver high-quality solutions on time. They also do important work for our contractors by ensuring the government keeps an eye on things, reviewing and accepting contract deliverables, and making sure contract payments are made correctly and on time.

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]

1. Must be a Government employee unless otherwise authorized in agency regulations.
2. Must be qualified by training and experience commensurate with the responsibilities to be delegated in accordance with department/agency guidelines.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.

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 1.605)

• 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.

AcqLinks and References:

• DoD Instruction 5000.72 “DoD Standard for Contracting Officer’s Representative Certification” – 31 Aug 2018
• Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Guidebook – Oct 22
• DoD Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Handbook – 22 March 12
• Defense Contingency Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Handbook – Sept 12
• Army Contracting Officer’s Representative Guide
• NRC Acquisition Guidebook for Contracting Officer’s Representatives – 26 Jun 2013
• GAO Report: GAO OIG 12-3 “Procurement Actions Needed to Enhance Training and Certification Requirements for Contracting Officer Representatives” – Apr 12
• Briefing: GSA COR Roles and Responsibilities – 9 June 2016
• Memo: FAC-COR -20 Sep 11
• [1] Website: DFARS Subsection 201.602-2 Responsibilities
• Website: GSAM 501.604 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)
• Website: DFARS PGI Subsection 201_602 Contracting Officers
• Website: Federal Acquisition Institute – Contracting Officer Representative
• Website: FAR 42.202(a) – Contract Administration Services
• Website: CORT Tool

Updated: 7/22/2023

Rank: G9.4