Where is the contracting officer authority defined?

Where is the contracting officer authority defined?

• A. DFARS 231.205
• B. FAR 2.101
• C. FAR 1.602-1
• D. FAR 13.5

Answer: (C)

The contracting officer’s authority to bind the government is defined in FAR 1.602-1, which states that the contracting officer has the authority to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts and to make related determinations and findings, in accordance with agency procedures and applicable laws. This makes FAR 1.602-1 the official source for what a contracting officer can do and the limits on that authority. The other sections don’t establish the CO’s authority: FAR 2.101 covers definitions, not who can bind the government; FAR 13.5 addresses simplified acquisition procedures; and DFARS 231.205 concerns topics outside the general definition of contracting officer authority.

The contracting officer’s authority to bind the government is defined in FAR 1.602-1, which states that the contracting officer has the authority to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts and to make related determinations and findings, in accordance with agency procedures and applicable laws. This makes FAR 1.602-1 the official source for what a contracting officer can do and the limits on that authority. The other sections don’t establish the CO’s authority: FAR 2.101 covers definitions, not who can bind the government; FAR 13.5 addresses simplified acquisition procedures; and DFARS 231.205 concerns topics outside the general definition of contracting officer authority.