Department of the Interior Acquisition Policy Release (DIAPR) 2005-03

SUBJECT: Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)/Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) Training, Appointment, and Appointment Termination Requirements Associated With Contracting on Behalf of Other Agencies

1. Purpose:

This policy release clarifies Departmental regulations at DIAR subpart 1401.670 and directs Department of the Interior (DOI) contracting officers in bureaus and offices that award contracts and place orders on behalf of other agencies (i.e., requiring agencies) to ensure that prior to assuming their duties, CORs/COTRs for those actions meet appropriate training requirements and are properly designated.

2. Effective Date:

Effective upon issuance.

3. Expiration Date:

This policy release shall remain in effect until it is superseded through incorporation of the Governmentwide standards in section 9 (Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) and Contracting Officer’s Technical Representatives (COTRs)) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy’s Policy Letter 05-01, “Developing and Managing the Acquisition Workforce into the Departmental Manual under the Department of the Interior Regulation.”

4. Definitions:

The following definitions apply for purposes of this policy:

Assisting agency: A DOI bureau/office with authority to assist non-DOI departments/agencies by awarding contracts and placing orders on their behalf.

Requiring agency: A non-DOI department/agency that has entered into an agreement with an assisting agency for acquisition services. The requiring agency provides funding for the procurement action(s) and is typically charged a service fee by the assisting agency.

5. Background and Explanation:

Department of the Interior Acquisition Regulation subpart 1401.670 prescribes Departmental policies and procedures governing the training, appointment and appointment termination of CORs/COTRs. This policy is intended to clarify the regulation’s applicability to requiring agencies.

6. Policy:

Effective immediately, the regulation at DIAR subpart 1401.670 (http://www.doi.gov/pam/1401.html) shall serve as the standard for the training, appointment, designation, and termination of appointment of CORs/COTRs for contract actions/orders placed on behalf of requiring agencies. A requiring agency’s COR/COTR policy may be used in lieu of DIAR subpart 1401.670 if requested as part of its agreement with the assisting agency. Application of the requesting agency’s COR/COTR policy must be noted by the Contracting Officer in the memorandum of appointment required by DIAR section 1401.670-4.

7. Action Required:

Bureau Procurement Chiefs shall provide a copy of this policy to all procurement and contracting personnel in their bureaus.

8. Additional Information:

If you have any questions concerning this policy please contact Kate Oliver on 202/208-3345 or Patricia Corrigan on 202/208-1906.