[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 48, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 48CFR301.603-1]



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            TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM

 

                  CHAPTER 3--HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

PART 301_HHS ACQUISITION REGULATION SYSTEM--Table of Contents

 

      Subpart 301.6_Career Development, Contracting Authority, and 

                            Responsibilities

 

Sec. 301.603-1  General.



    (a) The appointment and termination of appointment of contracting 

officers shall be made by the head of the contracting activity (HCA). 

This authority is not delegable.

    (b) The contracting officer appointment document for personnel in 

the GS-1101, 1102, and 1105 series, as well as personnel in any other 

series who will obligate the Government to the expenditure of funds in 

excess of the micro-purchase threshold, shall be the Standard Form 

(SF)--1402, Certificate of Appointment. The HCA may determine an 

alternative appointment document for appointments at or below that 

threshold. Changes to appointments shall be made by issuing a new 

appointment document. Each appointment document shall be prepared and 

maintained in accordance with FAR 1.603-1 and shall state the limits of 

the individual's authority.

    (c) An individual must be certified at the appropriate level under 

the HHS Acquisition Certification Program as a prerequisite to being 

appointed as a contracting officer with authority to obligate funds in 

excess of the micro-purchase threshold (see 301.603-3(a)). The HCA will 

determine and require appropriate training for individuals appointed as 

contracting officers at lower dollar levels. An individual shall be 

appointed as a contracting officer only in instances where a valid 

organizational need can be demonstrated. Factors to be considered in 

assessing the need for



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an appointment of a contracting officer include volume of actions, 

complexity of work, and structure of the organization.