Chapter 3 - COR Responsibilities

Department of Defense Contingency COR Handbook
Chapter 3 - COR Responsibilities

Post-Award Duties
     Understanding of the Contract
     Current and Complete Files
     Correspondence and Responses
     Correspondence with the Contractor
     Notifcation of the Contracting Officer
     Monitoring of Contract Performance
     Inspection and Acceptance/Rejection of Deliverables
     Proprietary and Classified Information 
     Management of Problems
     Handling of Unsatisfactory Performance
     Tracking of Modifications
Appropriate Conclusion of Appointment/Designation
Technical Expertise
Limitations
     Protection of Sensitive or Government Information
Pre-Award Duties
     Related Duties
Chapter 3. Key Points

COR Responsibilities

The COR oversees contractor performance for both the commander and the contracting officer. For the commander, the COR provides status information on performance risk and on how the contract is meeting the mission requirements. The COR is the unit expert on the contract. CORs should understand Government and contractor responsibilities, work that is covered (and not covered) by the contract, the process for addressing performance deficiencies, and the process for making contract changes. If the requirement needs to be adjusted—for example, because of poor planning, unforeseen impacts, or mission changes—the COR would work on these adjustments with the contracting officer. Managing these changes is critical to a unit commander: too few changes might impact mission success, and too many changes might waste limited funds that could be used for other priorities. For the contracting officer, the COR is the expert on the unit requirement, providing feedback if that requirement is being met. The COR also identifies when a contract needs contracting officer intervention (e.g., payment support, requirement changes, and corrective actions). The following list outlines these roles and responsibilities:

• The unit identifies a requirement. A contract is awarded to meet the requirement defined by the unit.
• The contract binds the Government and the contractor. The contract outlines the terms and conditions that must be met by both parties.
• The contracting officer is the only one authorized to make changes to the contract terms and conditions. Deviations from these terms and conditions affect contractor costs and performance. Unauthorized changes might result in disciplinary action, personal liability, or both.
• The contracting officer provides training to the COR, outlining the administration process and familiarizing the COR with the specific terms and conditions of the contract.
• The unit oversees performance on the contract through the COR. The COR oversees contractor performance and ensures that contract terms and conditions are met (e.g., contractor badging, schedules, quantities, and receiving reports). All issues with the contractor at any level should be addressed through the COR. The COR is trained to protect the Government and unit personnel.
• The contracting officer provides oversight of the COR.
• The COR reports the status of contract performance to the contracting officer and the unit commander.

General information about COR responsibilities is detailed in FAR Subpart 1.602 and in DFARS Subpart 201.602, “Contracting Authority and Responsibilities,” and a companion resource, DFARS PGI Subpart 201.602-2, “Responsibilities.” The contracting officer specifies the COR’s responsibilities in the COR letter of appointment/designation. All duties delegated to the COR by the contracting officer must be specified in the letter of appointment/designation. If the duty is not mentioned in the letter, then the COR is not authorized to perform that duty. COR actions or inactions can subject the Government to disputes or claims and, in some cases, can result in the COR being personally liable for such actions or inactions. Therefore, the COR must carefully observe the scope and limitations of delegated authorities and should contact the contracting officer if there are any doubts about the correct course of action to be taken.

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