FAR 1.603-2—Selection.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 1.603-2 explains how appointing officials should choose contracting officers and what qualifications they should consider before giving someone warrant authority. It covers the complexity and dollar value of the acquisitions the person will handle, as well as the candidate’s experience, training, education, business acumen, judgment, character, and reputation. The section also identifies example selection criteria: experience in Government contracting and administration, commercial purchasing, or related fields; education or special training in business administration, law, accounting, engineering, or related fields; knowledge of acquisition policies and procedures, including the FAR and other applicable regulations; specialized knowledge in the particular field of contracting; and satisfactory completion of acquisition training courses. In practice, this section is about matching the right person to the right level of contracting authority, so that the government assigns contracting officers who are capable of handling the scope, risk, and complexity of the work. It supports sound procurement decisions, reduces the risk of unauthorized or poorly informed contracting actions, and helps ensure that contracting officers are properly prepared for the responsibilities they will exercise.
Key Rules
Match authority to acquisition risk
The appointing official must consider the complexity and dollar value of the acquisitions the candidate will be assigned. Higher-risk or higher-dollar work should be matched with a stronger qualification profile.
Evaluate overall qualifications
Selection is not based on one factor alone. The official must consider experience, training, education, business acumen, judgment, character, and reputation together to determine whether the person is suitable for contracting officer duties.
Consider relevant experience
Useful experience includes Government contracting and administration, commercial purchasing, or related fields. The point is to identify practical background that demonstrates familiarity with buying, administering, and managing contracts.
Consider education and training
Education or special training in business administration, law, accounting, engineering, or related fields is an important selection factor. Formal preparation can support better decision-making in procurement, pricing, contract structure, and technical understanding.
Require policy and procedure knowledge
The candidate should know acquisition policies and procedures, including the FAR and other applicable regulations. A contracting officer must be able to apply the governing rules correctly, not just understand general business concepts.
Value specialized contract knowledge
Specialized knowledge in the particular assigned field of contracting is a valid selection criterion. This helps ensure the contracting officer understands the unique requirements of the commodity, service, or program area they will manage.
Use training completion as a benchmark
Satisfactory completion of acquisition training courses is an explicit example of a qualifying factor. Training completion helps show that the candidate has been prepared for the responsibilities of the warrant and the types of acquisitions to be handled.
Responsibilities
Appointing Official
Evaluate candidates for contracting officer appointment by considering the complexity and dollar value of the acquisitions they will handle, along with the candidate’s experience, training, education, business acumen, judgment, character, and reputation. Use the listed criteria to decide whether the person is qualified for the level of authority being granted.
Candidate for Contracting Officer Appointment
Demonstrate qualifications through relevant experience, education, training, knowledge of acquisition rules, specialized field knowledge, and completion of acquisition courses. The candidate should be able to show sound judgment and the professional integrity expected of a contracting officer.
Agency/Organization
Maintain a selection process that aligns warrant authority with the complexity and dollar value of the acquisitions to be assigned. Ensure the organization supports qualification standards through training opportunities and appropriate oversight of appointments.
Practical Implications
This section is a gatekeeping rule: not everyone who works in procurement should receive contracting officer authority. In practice, agencies should document why a person is qualified for the specific level of warrant they receive.
The biggest pitfall is treating training completion as enough by itself. FAR 1.603-2 requires a broader judgment call that also includes experience, education, specialized knowledge, and personal qualities like judgment and character.
Another common issue is mismatch between the warrant and the work. A person may be qualified for routine buys but not for complex, high-dollar, or highly technical acquisitions.
Contracting officers and supervisors should expect selection decisions to be tied to the actual portfolio the person will manage, not just a generic job title or prior position.
For contractors, this section matters indirectly because it helps ensure the government representative signing and administering contracts has the competence and authority needed to act properly and consistently.
Official Regulatory Text
In selecting contracting officers, the appointing official shall consider the complexity and dollar value of the acquisitions to be assigned and the candidate’s experience, training, education, business acumen, judgment, character, and reputation. Examples of selection criteria include- (a) Experience in Government contracting and administration, commercial purchasing, or related fields; (b) Education or special training in business administration, law, accounting, engineering, or related fields; (c) Knowledge of acquisition policies and procedures, including this and other applicable regulations; (d) Specialized knowledge in the particular assigned field of contracting; and (e) Satisfactory completion of acquisition training courses.