Question 1

What is a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)?

Accepted Answer

A COR is an individual designated and authorized in writing by the contracting officer to perform specific technical or administrative functions (typically contract surveillance) on a contract. The designation states the extent and limits of the COR’s authority; it is not redelegable. [Source: FAR 1.602-2, Responsibilities (acquisition.gov) — "Designate and authorize, in writing and in accordance with agency procedures, a contracting officer’s representative (COR)." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/1.602-2]

Question 2

How is a COR appointed?

Accepted Answer

The contracting officer designates and authorizes the COR in writing, in accordance with agency procedures. A written letter of designation specifies the extent of the COR’s authority, identifies the limitations on that authority, states that the authority is not redelegable, and states that the COR may be personally liable for unauthorized acts. [Source: FAR 1.602-2, Responsibilities (acquisition.gov) — "Designate and authorize, in writing and in accordance with agency procedures, a contracting officer’s representative (COR)." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/1.602-2]

Question 3

What authority does a COR NOT have?

Accepted Answer

A COR has no authority to make any commitments or changes that affect price, quality, quantity, delivery, or other terms and conditions of the contract. Only the contracting officer can modify the contract or direct changes. [Source: FAR 1.602-2, Responsibilities (acquisition.gov) — "Has no authority to make any commitments or changes that affect price, quality, quantity, delivery, or other terms and conditions of the contract." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/1.602-2]

Question 4

Can a COR delegate their authority to another person?

Accepted Answer

No. The COR’s authority is not redelegable. The letter of designation must state that the authority is not redelegable. [Source: FAR 1.602-2, Responsibilities (acquisition.gov) — "Stating the authority is not redelegable." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/1.602-2]

Question 5

Can a COR be held personally liable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The letter of designation states that the COR may be personally liable for unauthorized acts — for example, directing the contractor to perform work outside the scope of the contract. [Source: FAR 1.602-2, Responsibilities (acquisition.gov) — "Stating that the COR may be personally liable for unauthorized acts." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/1.602-2]

Question 6

What documentation must a COR maintain?

Accepted Answer

The COR must maintain a file for each assigned contract that includes a copy of the contracting officer’s letter of designation and other documents describing the COR’s duties and responsibilities, plus records of actions taken in accordance with the delegation. [Source: FAR 1.604, Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) (acquisition.gov) — "A copy of the contracting officer’s letter of designation and other documents describing the COR’s duties and responsibilities." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/1.604]

Question 7

Conflict-of-interest rules prohibit a COR from doing what?

Accepted Answer

A COR (like any Government employee) may not participate personally and substantially in a particular matter — such as a contract — in which the COR, spouse, minor child, or an organization the COR is negotiating with for employment has a financial interest. Doing so violates 18 U.S.C. 208. [Source: 18 U.S.C. 208(a), Acts affecting a personal financial interest — "participates personally and substantially as a Government officer or employee ... in a ... contract, claim, controversy ... or other particular matter in which, to his knowledge, he, his spouse, minor child ... has a financial interest." https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section208&num=0&edition=prelim]

Question 8

A contractor offers a COR theater tickets worth $20. May the COR accept?

Accepted Answer

A Government employee may accept unsolicited gifts of $20 or less per source per occasion, provided the aggregate from that source does not exceed $50 in a calendar year. A single $20 gift is within the limit, but the COR should still avoid even the appearance of impropriety and decline if acceptance could raise questions. [Source: 5 CFR 2635.204(a), Gifts of $20 or less (Standards of Ethical Conduct) — "An employee may accept unsolicited gifts having an aggregate market value of $20 or less per source per occasion, provided that the aggregate market value of individual gifts received from any one person under the authority of this paragrap" https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/section-2635.204]

Question 9

Was CLC 222 renamed, and what is the current DAU COR course?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CLC 222 was DAU’s legacy “Contracting Officer’s Representative” online course. DAU has since renumbered its COR training to COR 222. The underlying requirements for COR designation and authority remain governed by FAR 1.602-2 and DoD Instruction 5000.72 (DoD Standard for COR Certification). [Source: FAR 1.602-2, Responsibilities (acquisition.gov) — "Designate and authorize, in writing and in accordance with agency procedures, a contracting officer’s representative (COR)." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/1.602-2]

CLC 222 — Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

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