[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: 48CFR401.601]



[Page 98-99]

 

            TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM

 

                  CHAPTER 4--DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 

PART 401_AGRICULTURE ACQUISITION REGULATION SYSTEM--Table of Contents

 

        Subpart 401.6_Contracting Authority and Responsibilities

 

Sec. 401.601  General.





    (a) The authority and responsibility vested in the Secretary to 

manage USDA's acquisition function is delegated through the Assistant 

Secretary for Administration to the SPE. This broad authority includes, 

but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

    (1) Prescribing and publishing Departmental acquisition policies, 

regulations, and procedures.

    (2) Taking any necessary actions consistent with policies, 

regulations, and procedures with respect to purchases, contracts, 

leases, and other transactions.

    (3) Designating contracting officers.

    (4) Establishing clear lines of contracting authority.

    (5) Evaluating and monitoring the performance of USDA's acquisition 

system.



[[Page 99]]



    (6) Managing and enhancing career development of the contracting 

work force.

    (7) Participating in the development of Government-wide acquisition 

policies, regulations, and standards; and determining specific areas 

where government-wide performance standards should be established and 

applied.

    (8) Determining areas of Department-unique standards and developing 

unique Department-wide standards.

    (9) Certifying to the Secretary that the acquisition system meets 

approved standards.

    (b) The SPE may delegate contracting authority to the Heads of 

Contracting Activities (HCA's) and the responsibility to manage their 

acquisition function.

    (c) Unless prohibited by the FAR, the AGAR, or by other applicable 

statutes and regulations, the SPE may redelegate to HCA's the authority 

to make determinations as the agency head in order to implement the 

policies and procedures of the FAR. Such delegations shall be in 

writing, but need not be published.

    (d) Unless prohibited by the FAR, the AGAR, or by other applicable 

statutes or regulations, each HCA may designate one individual from the 

contracting activity to carry out the functions of the HCA (HCAD). The 

HCAD may exercise all authority delegated to the HCA.