Section 1.603 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requires Federal agencies to establish a system for the selection, appointment, and termination of appointment of contracting officers consistent with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) standards. The VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) identifies this system as the Contracting Officer Certification Program (COCP) that is managed by the Office of Acquisition and Logistics.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has designated the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Logistics (DAS for A&L) as the Procurement Executive (PE). As the PE, the DAS for A&MM grants direct contracting authority above the simplified acquisition threshold ($100,000.00) at the Intermediate ($5 million) and Senior ($100 million) levels through COCP. The DAS for A&MM also designates Heads of Contracting Activities (HCAs) who have the overall responsibility and accountability for procurements initiated by their respective acquisition workforce. HCAs may grant contracting authority up to the simplified acquisition threshold.
Policies and procedures continue to be updated and revised to reflect the current trends in the business arena that are consistent with the Clinger-Cohen Act and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
