1. Administrative Items
2. Change 07-14, COTR Handbook & Training

• David Lankford introduced Colleen Gutrick as the new ASAG Executive Secretary and thanked Malinda Battle for a super job. Malinda is retiring January 3.
• The November 7 minutes were approved.
• The ASAG meetings will continue to be every 1^st Tuesday of the month, unless there is a holiday, it’s scheduled for the 2^nd Tuesday of that month.
• Malinda reported that there are 9 participants registered for the January 8-12 FAMS Pilot training course. Slots are still available.

David Lankford presented an overview briefing to support proposed change for the Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) change. Guidance will establish basic qualifications of a COTR. The minimum required training is 24 hours. The COTR must complete the basic training within 3 months of the date of the Contracting Officer’s designation. If the COTR does not complete training within the timeframe, the Contracting Officer terminates the delegation and designates an alternate person. COTR training is available online and free to ATO employees. Courses are offered through Defense Acquisition Institute and Commercially. Eventually, training will be expanded for agency use. It’s a Government wide initiative. Office of Federal Procurement Policy established continuous learning points for refresher training. A COTR must complete at least 40 continuous learning points every 2 years. We have a list of kinds of training that qualifies, such as forums, awareness, workshops, mentoring, books, and publications a COTR would have and it should align with Government skills and be portable. AMS department guidance will be aligned with the rest of Government. Currently there are no comprehensive lists of COTR duties, contents, and purpose. The COTR handbook is designed as a reference document with 18 Core functions. Rebecca Taylor-King asked about the process that would be used to validate or track the COTR refresher training. David responded that the Employee Learning Management System Database implemented in every line of business tracks registered COTR training. It is the COTR’s responsibility to gain refresher knowledge.

Actions: (1) David Lankford will forward a revised copy of the COTR Training Guidance (07-14) to Colleen Gutrick to email to the ASAG members for review and comments.

(2) ASAG members provide comments on COTR Training Guidance (07-14) to David Lankford and copy Colleen Gutrick by January 22.

Future Meeting Schedule: 2007

These dates are for planning purposes. The chairman may change the dates if necessary, or the meeting may be canceled for lack of agenda items. ASAG members will be notified in advance of any changes in the schedule and to confirm the meetings as scheduled.