Who is a person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts?

The Contracting Officer (CO) is a person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts on behalf of the government or an organization. The CO holds the legal authority to obligate funds and manage the contractual relationship, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This role is crucial in the contracting process, as the CO has the ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the contract, from negotiation to execution and any necessary modifications or terminations.

Understanding the roles of other positions helps clarify why they do not hold the same level of authority as the Contracting Officer. For instance, the Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) may have specific responsibilities in managing contracts but does not possess the same broad authority granted to a CO. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) acts as an oversight person, monitoring the contractor's performance, but cannot legally bind the government to contracts. The Termination Contracting Officer (TCO) primarily focuses on terminating contracts, rather than entering or fully administering them, limiting their scope of authority.

Overall, the Contracting Officer is the key figure in contract management, having the official capacity to engage with contractors and ensure that the contract's terms are met efficiently.