FAR 1.602-1—Authority.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 1.602-1 explains the basic legal authority of contracting officers and the limits on that authority. It covers four main topics: the contracting officer’s power to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts; the ability to make related determinations and findings; the rule that the Government is bound only within the officer’s delegated authority; and the requirement that the officer receive written instructions on those limits from the appointing authority. It also requires that information about those authority limits be available to the public and agency personnel. In addition, it imposes a gatekeeping duty before award: no contract may be entered into unless the contracting officer has ensured that all required laws, executive orders, regulations, and other applicable procedures, including clearances and approvals, have been satisfied. In practice, this section is foundational because it protects the Government from unauthorized commitments, helps contractors know who can legally bind the United States, and forces contracting officers to verify compliance before award or other contractual action.
Key Rules
Authority to Act
Contracting officers are authorized to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts, and to make related determinations and findings. This is the core source of their contracting power, but it applies only within the scope of their appointment and delegation.
Delegated Limits Control
A contracting officer may bind the Government only to the extent of the authority delegated to that officer. Actions taken outside that delegation do not create valid Government obligations and can expose the action to challenge or ratification issues.
Written Authority Instructions
The appointing authority must give the contracting officer clear written instructions describing the limits of the officer’s authority. This written delegation is important evidence of what the officer can and cannot do.
Authority Must Be Accessible
Information about the limits of contracting officers’ authority must be readily available to the public and agency personnel. This promotes transparency and helps prevent unauthorized reliance on someone who lacks binding authority.
Pre-Award Compliance Check
Before entering into a contract, the contracting officer must ensure that all applicable legal and procedural requirements have been met, including required clearances and approvals. The officer is the final checkpoint for compliance before the Government commits itself.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Exercise authority only within the limits of the delegation; enter into, administer, or terminate contracts only when authorized; make related determinations and findings within delegated authority; verify that all required laws, executive orders, regulations, procedures, clearances, and approvals are satisfied before award; avoid binding the Government outside the scope of authority.
Appointing Authority
Issue clear written instructions to the contracting officer stating the limits of the officer’s authority; ensure the delegation is defined and documented so the officer and others understand what actions are authorized.
Agency
Make information on contracting officer authority limits readily available to the public and agency personnel; maintain internal controls and procedures that support compliance with delegation limits and pre-award approval requirements.
Public and Agency Personnel
Use the published authority information to confirm whether a contracting officer can legally bind the Government; avoid relying on statements or actions that exceed the officer’s delegated authority.
Practical Implications
Contractors should always confirm that the person they are dealing with is a properly warranted contracting officer and that the action falls within that person’s authority; otherwise, the Government may not be bound.
Contracting officers must treat delegation limits as hard boundaries, not suggestions. Acting outside them can create unauthorized commitments, delay performance, and require ratification or corrective action.
Before award, the contracting officer must verify all required approvals, clearances, and procedural steps. Missing a required review can invalidate or delay the contract action even if the parties are otherwise ready to proceed.
Agencies should keep delegation and warrant information current and easy to find. Outdated or unclear authority information is a common source of confusion and unauthorized commitments.
This section is a reminder that contracting authority is both a legal power and a compliance responsibility: the officer must have authority, stay within it, and confirm the file is complete before obligating the Government.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Contracting officers have authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. Contracting officers may bind the Government only to the extent of the authority delegated to them. Contracting officers shall receive from the appointing authority (see 1.603-1 ) clear instructions in writing regarding the limits of their authority. Information on the limits of the contracting officers’ authority shall be readily available to the public and agency personnel. (b) No contract shall be entered into unless the contracting officer ensures that all requirements of law, executive orders, regulations, and all other applicable procedures, including clearances and approvals, have been met.