Who is responsible for initiating administrative closeout of the contract after receiving evidence of its physical completion?

The responsibility for initiating the administrative closeout of a contract after receiving evidence of its physical completion falls to the contract administration office. This office is typically tasked with ensuring that all contractual obligations have been met, which involves not only verifying project completion but also managing documentation and facilitating any necessary approvals.

The contract administration office plays a critical role in the overall management of contracts, including tracking performance, ensuring compliance, and coordinating the closeout process. Once the physical work is completed and deemed satisfactory, this office will ensure that all required documentation is gathered, financial aspects are settled, and that the contract is officially closed in accordance with established policies and procedures.

In contrast, while the finance department may be involved in final payments or audits, its primary focus is on financial management rather than administrative closure. The legal department may be consulted for any contractual disputes or issues but does not typically initiate the closeout process. Similarly, while the project manager oversees the contract execution and may report on its status, the administrative closeout is an official function designated to the contract administration office.