**FAQs: Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) Program**

***1.* *Are Contracting Officer's Representatives (CORs) members of the
Acquisition Workforce?***

> Yes. The acquisition workforce includes employees who perform various
> acquisition-related functions to support the accomplishment of an
> agency's mission, as described in the Office of Federal Procurement
> Policy (OFPP) Policy [Letter
> 05-01](http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/procurement/policy_letters/05-01_041505.html),
> paragraph 5. In addition to contracting, functions such as
> requirements definition, measurement of contract performance, and
> technical and management direction are also included. Membership in
> the acquisition workforce may be on a full-time, part-time, or
> occasional basis.

***2. What is the difference between a Contracting Officer's
Representative (COR) and a Contracting Officer's Technical
Representative (COTR)?***

The terms COR and COTR are interchangeable. However, the new manual only
uses the term COR.

***3. What is in the new COR Program?***

The COR Program establishes a certification process that validates
completion of training requirements. Once certified eligible, an
individual can be appointed as a COR under a written delegation of
authority from a Contracting Officer (CO). This Program also specifies
the roles, responsibilities, and limitations of authorities for the
various individuals and offices involved with the COR Program.

***4. What are the training requirements to become certified under the
new program?***

The candidate must complete 40 hours of basic COR training not more than
two years prior to an initial appointment as a COR. Although classroom
training is preferred, on-line training through the Defense Acquisition
University (DAU) is acceptable. The training must be comprehensive,
COR-specific training. It does not need to be a single 40-hour class,
but may be a combination of shorted classes.

***5. What are the COR maintenance requirements?***

> To maintain certification, an individual must complete a minimum of 40
> continuous learning points (CLPs) every two years in acquisition or
> COR-related training.

**6. *What does "acquisition related training" mean? How will I know if
the training counts toward the requirement?***

Training should cover concepts that will assist you in the duties you
perform as an acquisition workforce member. For the COR Program, the
training should be in COR or acquisition-related courses. If you have
specific questions, your Bureau's COR Program Coordinator should be of
assistance:

BIA Peter Markey 703 390 6479

BLM Linda Johnson 602 906 5662

BOR Karla Smiley 303 445 2450

FWS Neil Ray 703 358 2285

NBC Vickie Mebus 703 964 8439

NPS Heidi Ernst 303 987 6714

OSM Jackie Harris 202 208 2839

USGS Lorri Bogart 703 648 7344

Partial credit may be given for seminars conferences that cover a
variety of topics, only some of which pertain to your acquisition
workforce duties. It would be best to consult with the coordinator prior
to investing in the training.

***7. How is the hour or point value of the training determined?***

The training provider usually supplies the value. Contact your Bureau
COR Program Coordinator for further information.

***8. What are CEUs and CLPs? How many hours are they worth?***

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuous Learning Points (CLPs)
are forms of measurement for training. CEUs are usually given for
college courses or in-depth, long-term training. Each academic quarter
or semester hour equals one CEU. One CEU equals ten CLPs. CLPs are
usually given for less formal training or conferences.

***9. May I take on-line training that will count toward my maintenance
requirement?***

> Yes. On-line training is a great, often free way to meet some of your
> training requirements. Defense Acquisition University
> ([www.dau.mil](http://www.dau.mil/)) offers many on-line acquisition
> related courses.

***10. Where can I find more information on all of the acceptable ways
to meet my training/maintenance requirement?***

> Please review the COR Program Manual or contact your Bureau COR
> Program Coordinator.

***11. What are the designated time periods for the two-year continuous
learning requirement?***

Certification is subject to renewal every two years. To maintain
certification, a COR must complete a minimum of 40 additional CLPs
during the two years

between certification and the renewal anniversary.

***12. My office has little or no budget to send CORs to extra training.
How will we meet this new requirement**?*

Offices should provide for training for the acquisition workforce in
their budgets, as well as in the Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
Contact your Bureau COR Program Coordinator or Bureau Acquisition
Training Coordinator (BATC) for a list of resources for low or no cost
training.

***13. Do I have to spread the training out equally over two years? Can
I obtain it all in one year?***

The requirement is flexible. You have two years to obtain the 40
continuous learning points.

***14. What will happen if I haven't met the maintenance requirement at
the end of the two-year cycle?***

> Failure to earn the required continuous learning points will result in
> termination of your certification. Reinstatement of the certification
> would require completion of another 40 hours of basic COR training and
> submission of a new application for certification.

***15. How do I apply for COR certification?***

> Individuals are required to submit their completed training
> certificate(s) and any other bureau-required information to the
> designated Bureau COR Program Coordinator.