[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 48, Volume 5] [Revised as of October 1, 2006] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 48CFR801.690-3] [Page 150-151] TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM CHAPTER 8--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PART 801_VETERANS AFFAIRS ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM--Table of Contents Subpart 801.6_Career Development, Contracting Activity, and Responsibilities Sec. 801.690-3 Responsibility for administration of Contracting Officer Certification Program (COCP). (a) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Materiel Management (A&MM). The Deputy Assistant Secretary for A&MM is responsible for: (1) Administering the COCP to ensure that the certification board evaluates, recommends acceptance, rejection, or termination of applicants at the Senior and Intermediate Levels according to the requirements of the COCP. (2) Developing additional training and the level of certification as required by the COCP. (3) Serving as the designating official, and in that capacity appoints or terminates contracting officers at the Senior and Intermediate Levels of authority. (b) Heads of contracting activities (HCA). The HCA is responsible for: (1) Implementing and maintaining an effective and efficient program for the procurement of personal property and nonpersonal services assigned to the activity. (2) Establishing adequate controls to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. (3) Appointing or terminating appointments of contracting officers at the Basic Level within their activity. Each HCA will establish procedures for the appointment or termination of appointment of contracting officers at the Basic Level to include maintenance of records on individual training and experience, as well as appointment and termination actions. (4) Recommending to the designating official the appointment or termination of appointment of contracting officers at the Intermediate and Senior Levels of authority based on candidate qualifications, as well as a valid organizational need. (c) Contracting Officer Certification Board (COCB). The COCB may receive, evaluate, and recommend to the designating official, candidates for contracting officer positions at the Intermediate and Senior Levels. The board will be chaired by the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisitions, OA&MM, and membership will consist of: (1) Chief Administrative Officer (VHA) (or designee), (2) Deputy Facilities Management Officer (or designee), (3) Acquisition Training Officer, and (4) Additional members to be selected on an ad hoc basis depending on the organizational need for certified contracting officers. (d) Acquisition Training Officer (ATO). The ATO in the OA&MM will serve as the Executive Secretary to the COCB. The ATO will coordinate all requests for certification with the COCB. Upon the decision by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for A&MM, the ATO will respond to the HCA with a copy of the [[Page 151]] appropriate action. In addition, the ATO will maintain records on the development and administration of the Contracting Officer Certification Program (COCP) as well as the records on individual training, certification and termination actions at the Intermediate and Senior Contracting Officer Level. The ATO will identify all records created and maintained and ensure they are scheduled for disposal by the Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management Records Officer. [52 FR 24011, June 26, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 31964, Aug. 3, 1989; 54 FR 40062, Sept. 29, 1989; 63 FR 69218, Dec. 16, 1998]