What Is a Contracting Officer?
A contracting officer is the government official with authority to enter into, manage and end contracts. Only a contracting officer can bind the agency.
Contracting officer in plain English
A promise from anyone else, such as a program manager, doesn't commit the government. Changes to your contract need to come from the contracting officer.
The contracting officer also decides how a purchase is competed, including whether to set it aside for small businesses. Contacts for each notice are listed on SAM.gov, and questions go in the way the solicitation says.
Related terms
- Solicitation: A solicitation is an agency's official request for bids, quotes or proposals. It describes the work, the terms, how to respond and how offers are judged.
- Rule of two: The rule of two requires a set-aside for small businesses when at least two responsible small businesses are expected to offer at fair market prices.
- OSDBU (Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization): An OSDBU (Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization) is a federal agency's small business office, and a good first contact at any agency.
- FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation): The FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) is the main rulebook for how federal agencies buy goods and services.
Put it to work
Looking for another term? Browse the full glossary or the government contracting glossary guide.