Contracting Officer (CO)
The government official with legal authority to enter into, administer, and terminate federal contracts — the only person who can obligate the government.
How It Works
Contracting officers have warranted authority to bind the U.S. government. No one else — not the project manager, not the agency head — can legally commit to a contract. COs determine contract types, evaluate proposals, negotiate terms, and resolve disputes. They also appoint Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) to monitor day-to-day contractor performance. The CO role requires specific training and certification through the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) program.
Related Terms
- Federal Contract — A legally binding agreement between the U.S. government and a private company to provide goods or services — from fighter jets to IT consulting.
- Competitive Bidding (Full and Open Competition) — The standard procurement process where the government publicly solicits proposals from multiple vendors and selects the best offer based on price, quality, and capability.
- Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) — The comprehensive rule book governing how federal agencies buy goods and services — covering everything from how to write a solicitation to when to use competitive bidding.
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About This Definition
This definition is part of the TaxDollarData Federal Spending Glossary — 31 terms explaining how the U.S. government spends taxpayer money. All definitions are written in plain language for taxpayers, journalists, contractors, and researchers.