Contracting Officer (CO / KO)

A Contracting Officer, often abbreviated as CO or KO, is the government official who has the legal authority to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts on behalf of the United States government. Contracting Officers are central to the federal procurement process because only they have the authority to bind the government in a contractual agreement.

What is a Contracting Officer

In government contracting, a Contracting Officer is the person responsible for ensuring that federal acquisitions are conducted in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies. The term “CO” is commonly used, while “KO” is sometimes preferred in order to avoid confusion with the abbreviation for Commanding Officer. Both terms refer to the same role.

Contracting Officers derive their authority from a written warrant that specifies the dollar value and types of contracts they are authorized to sign. Without a warrant, no government employee can obligate funds or legally commit the government.

Responsibilities of a Contracting Officer

The Contracting Officer has wide-ranging responsibilities, including:

• Preparing and issuing solicitations such as Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations for Bid (IFBs)
  
  

• Determining the most appropriate source selection method, such as best value tradeoff or Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA)
  
  

• Evaluating proposals and conducting negotiations with contractors
  
  

• Awarding contracts and modifications
  
  

• Ensuring contractor performance complies with terms and conditions
  
  

• Terminating contracts when necessary
  
  
  

Every stage of the federal acquisition lifecycle involves oversight or approval from a CO.

Why Contracting Officers Are Important in Federal Procurement

For government contractors, understanding the role of the Contracting Officer is critical. Since COs are the only officials authorized to make binding commitments, communications with them carry significant weight. Contractors must remember that instructions from program managers or other government staff are not legally binding unless confirmed by the Contracting Officer.

This makes the CO both a gatekeeper and an enabler. Successful contractors know how to communicate effectively with COs, respond to their requirements, and build credibility by demonstrating compliance and performance excellence.

Contracting Officer vs Contracting Specialist

It is common to confuse Contracting Officers with Contracting Specialists. Contracting Specialists often assist with day-to-day procurement tasks, such as drafting documents and conducting market research. However, they do not have the authority to obligate funds. Only the Contracting Officer, with an official warrant, has the authority to bind the government.