FAR 1.603—Selection, appointment, and termination of appointment for contracting officers.

General.

FAR 1.603-1 explains who has authority to select, appoint, and terminate contracting officers and ties that authority to the government’s broader procurement workforce management requirements. It implements 41 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)(G), which requires each agency head to maintain a procurement career management program and a system for selecting, appointing, and terminating contracting officers. The section also points to OFPP Policy Letter No. 05-01, which requires that these personnel actions be consistent with skill-based training standards for contracting and purchasing duties. In practice, this section matters because a contracting officer’s authority is not automatic; it must be formally granted by the agency, and the agency must manage that authority through a structured workforce program. For contractors, this section is important because it helps explain why only properly appointed contracting officers can bind the Government. For agencies, it is a governance and workforce-control requirement that supports accountability, competence, and valid contracting actions.

Selection.

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.

Appointment.

FAR 1.603-3 explains how contracting authority is formally granted and documented. It covers two related topics: the written appointment of contracting officers on SF 1402, Certificate of Appointment, including any limits on their authority and the requirement to keep appointment files for un-terminated appointments; and the separate, encouraged delegation of micro-purchase authority to certain government personnel who will actually use the supplies or services being bought. In practice, this section is about ensuring that only properly authorized individuals bind the Government, that the scope of their authority is clear, and that agencies maintain an auditable record of who has authority to act. It also recognizes that micro-purchases can be handled more efficiently by end users, but still requires written delegation under agency procedures. For contractors, this section matters because it helps determine whether the person placing an order or signing a commitment has valid authority. For contracting offices and agencies, it is a control measure that supports accountability, compliance, and procurement integrity.

Termination.

FAR 1.603-4 explains how a contracting officer’s appointment ends and what limits apply to that action. It covers the method of termination, including the default requirement for a termination letter, the exception when the Certificate of Appointment already provides for automatic termination, the kinds of events that may trigger termination such as reassignment, termination of employment, or unsatisfactory performance, and the rule that termination cannot be made retroactive. In practice, this section protects the integrity of contracting authority by making sure the end of a contracting officer’s warrant is documented, timely, and tied to a real event rather than applied backward in time. It also helps agencies avoid disputes over whether a person had authority to act on a particular date, which matters for contract validity, ratification issues, and internal accountability. For contractors, the section is important because it helps confirm when a government representative no longer has authority to bind the Government. For contracting offices and appointing officials, it creates a clear administrative process for ending authority and documenting the effective date.