Part 501 - General Services Administration

Acquisition Regulation System

Subpart 501.1 - Purpose, Authority, Issuance

501.101 Purpose.

501.103 Authority.

501.104 Applicability.

501.105 Issuance.

501.105-1 Publication and code arrangement.

501.105-2 Arrangement of regulations.

501.105-3 Copies.

501.106 OMB Approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

501.107 Certifications.

501.170 General Services Administration Acquisition Management System.

Subpart 501.3 - Agency Acquisition Regulations

501.301 Policy.

501.304 Agency control and compliance procedures.

501.370 Other acquisition policies, procedures, and guidance.

501.371 Regulatory Agenda Reviews.

Subpart 501.4 - Deviations from the FAR and GSAR

501.401 Definition.

501.402 Policy.

501.403 Individual deviations.

501.404 Class deviations.

501.470 Content requirements.

Subpart 501.5 - Agency and Public Participation

501.501 Solicitation of agency and public views.

Subpart 501.6 - Career Development, Contracting Authority, and Responsibilities
501.601 General.

501.602 Contracting officers.

501.602-2 Responsibilities.

501.602-3 Ratification of unauthorized commitments.

501.603 Selection, appointment, and termination of appointment for contracting officers.

501.603-1 General.

501.603-2 Selection.

501.603-3 Appointment.

501.603-4 Termination.

501.604 Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

501.670 Category Managers.

501.671 Program and Project Managers (P/PM).

501.672 Acquisition Certification Programs.

Subpart 501.7 - Determinations and Findings

501.707 Signature authority.

Appendix 501A - [Reserved]

Parent topic: General Services Administration Acquisition Manual

Subpart 501.1 - Purpose, Authority, Issuance

501.101 Purpose.

(a) The General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) contains agency acquisition policies and

practices, contract clauses, solicitation provisions, and forms that control the relationship between

GSA and contractors and prospective contractors.

(b) The GSAR addresses rules directly to you, the contracting officer , unless otherwise indicated.

501.103 Authority.

GSA’s Senior Procurement Executive issues the GSAR under the authority of the Federal Property

and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended.
501.104 Applicability.

(a) General. The GSAR applies to contracts for supplies or services, including construction.

(b) Acquisition of leasehold interests in real property. part 570 establishes rules for the acquisition

of leasehold interests in real property. Other provisions of 48 CFR Chapter 5 (GSAR) do not apply to

leases of real property unless specifically cross-referenced in part 570.

(c) Relationship to statute. Some GSAR rules implement and interpret laws and other authorities

affecting procurement. A GSAR rule specifically directed by statute has the force and effect of law.

501.105 Issuance.

501.105-1 Publication and code arrangement.

The GSAR is published in the following sources:

(a) The Federal Register at https://www.federalregister.gov/.

(b) Annual Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), as Chapter 5 of Title 48.

501.105-2 Arrangement of regulations.

(a) The GSAR numbers and captions policies and procedures to correspond to how they appear in

the FAR, e.g., 1.104 in the FAR is 501.104 in the GSAR.

(b) GSAR rules not implementing the FAR have numbers beginning with 70, e.g., part 570,

subsection 515.209-70.

(c) The GSAR may have gaps in its numbering scheme because a FAR rule may not require GSAR

implementation.

501.105-3 Copies.

Copies of the GSAR may be purchased from the Government Printing Office at https://www.gpo.gov/.

The GSAR is also available electronically at https://www.ecfr.gov/ or at https://www.acquisition.gov

under the agency supplements tab.

501.106 OMB Approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 35, et seq.) imposes a requirement on Federal

agencies to obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) before collecting

information from 10 or more members of the public. The information collection and recordkeeping
requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the OMB. This table includes OMB

approved control numbers from GSA (3090 series) and the FAR (9000 series) that are applicable to

GSA acquisition requirements. The following OMB control numbers apply:

Table 1 to 501.106 OMB Approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

GSAR Reference OMB Control No.

509.105-1 3090-0007

511.171 3090-0300

511.204(c) 3090-0246

512.301 3090-0163

514.201-1 3090-0163

515.209-70(b) 3090-0163

515.408 3090-0235

516.506 3090-0248

523.370 3090-0205

532.905-70 3090-0080

538.273 3090-0163, 3090-0235, 3090-0250, 3090-0262, 3090-0303, 3090-0306

542.1107 3090-0027

546.302-71 3090-0027

552.211-13(a) 9000-0026

552.211-70(b) 9000-0058

552.211-77 3090-0246

552.215-73 3090-0163
GSAR Reference OMB Control No.

552.216-70 3090-0235

552.216-72 3090-0248

552.216-73 3090-0248

552.216-75 3090-0306

552.223-70 3090-0205

552.232-5 3090-0080, 9000-0070, 9000-0102

552.232-72 3090-0080

552.236-15 9000-0058

552.236-72 3090-0308

552.236-79 3090-0320

552.236-80 9000-0034

552.238-72 3090-0163

552.238-73 3090-0250

552.238-78 3090-0262

552.238-80 3090-0235, 3090-0306

552.238-81 3090-0235, 3090-0306

552.238-82 3090-0302

552.238-84 3090-0303

552.238-85 3090-0235, 3090-0306
GSAR Reference OMB Control No.

552.238-87 3090-0303

552.238-95 3090-0303

552.238-96 3090-0303

552.238-97 3090-0303

552.238-99 3090-0303

552.238-111 3090-0303

552.242-70 3090-0027

552.246-70 3090-0027

552.246-71 3090-0027

552.270-33 3090-0324

570.703(c) 3090-0324

570.802(b) 3090-0086

570.802(c) 3090-0086

GSA-527 3090-0007

GSA-1142 3090-0080

GSA 1217 3090-0086

GSA-1364 3090-0086

GSA-1678 3090-0027

GSA-2419 9000-0102
501.107 Certifications.

(a) A new requirement for a certification by a contractor or offeror may not be included in the GSAR

unless

(1) The certification requirement is specifically imposed by statute; or

(2) Written justification for such certification is approved by all of the following:

(i) The head of the contracting activity (HCA);

(ii) The Senior Procurement Executive (SPE); and

(iii) The GSA Administrator.

501.170 General Services Administration Acquisition Management System.

(a) Description. The General Services Administration Acquisition Management System consists of

the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) and agency and Service nonregulatory acquisition policies and procedures guidance documents. The General Services

Administration Acquisition Manual (GSAM) consolidates acquisition policies and procedures for all

GSA personnel.

(b) Applicability. The GSAM applies to GSA contracts for supplies or services, including

construction. The GSAM does not apply to the acquisition of leasehold interests in real property,

unless specifically cross-referenced in part 570.

(c) Format. The GSAM adheres to GSAR numbering and drafting conventions (see GSAR 501.105-2).

Shading distinguishes regulatory material from non-regulatory material that applies internally to

GSA. GSAR material is shaded. Non-shaded material is non-regulatory.

(d) Availability. The GSAM is available electronically at https://www.acquisition.gov/browsegsam.

Subpart 501.3 - Agency Acquisition Regulations

501.301 Policy.

(a)

(1) GSA’s implementation and supplementation of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is issued

in the GSAM, which includes the GSAR. The GSAM is under authorization and subject to the

authority, direction, and control of the SPE. The GSAR contains acquisition policies and procedures

that have a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of GSA or a significant cost

or administrative impact on contractors or offerors.

(2) Relevant acquisition procedures, guidance, instruction, and information that do not meet the

criteria in paragraph (a)(1) of this section are issued through the non-regulatory portion of the
GSAM (see 501.170) and other GSA publications (see 501.370).

(b) See 501.304 for when Federal Register publication is required for any acquisition policy,

procedure, solicitation provision, contract clause, or form.

501.304 Agency control and compliance procedures.

(a) Federal Register publication. Federal Register publication is required for any acquisition policy,

procedure, solicitation provision, contract clause, or form, that has a significant effect beyond the

internal operating procedures of GSA or a significant cost or administrative impact on GSA

contractors or offerors, including any significant revisions (see FAR 1.501-1 and 501.501(a)).

(1) SPE approval is required for all Federal Register publications covered by paragraph (a) of this

section.

(2) The Office of Acquisition Policy will coordinate with the HCA or authorized designee to

adjudicate any comments received in response to a Federal Register publication.

(b) Business case. When publication in the Federal Register or a change to the GSAM is identified by

a contracting activity, the HCA shall develop and submit a business case to the SPE for review and

approval. The business case shall include, at a minimum, the following information—

(1) The name of the Service (e.g., PBS) and, if applicable, the contracting activity requesting the

change;

(2) The rationale supporting the need, including a–

(i) Description of the problem or matter to be addressed; and

(ii) Discussion of the benefit to the agency and/or organization.

(3) A discussion of the effect, if any, on GSA's internal operating procedures, including an analysis of

any impact on the following–

(i) The acquisition workforce;

(ii) Another office within GSA (e.g., FAS, PBS, OSDBU, OIG); or

(iii) Automated systems (i.e., financial and procurement).

(4) A discussion of the effect on contractors or offerors, if any, including an analysis of the following–

(i) The contracts and contractors affected (e.g. number, dollar value, and business size);

(ii) The estimated annual costs and benefits associated with the proposed change; and

(iii) The burden of new information collection requirements (see 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.), if any,

associated with the proposed change (see 5 CFR 1320.8).

(5) An analysis of alternatives, risks, and risk mitigation;

(6) A discussion of the approach to be used to implement and monitor success;
(7) The proposed amendments to the FAR or the GSAM in line-in line-out format;

(8) A listing of the organization(s), if any, that have been briefed or involved in drafting the proposed

amendments (e.g., Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Category Management Leadership

Council); and

(9) A statement of legal sufficiency from the requestor's legal counsel.

(c) Compliance. HCAs are responsible for ensuring compliance with this section. At a minimum,

HCAs should consider establishing a structure for reviewing new policies issued at a higher level

(e.g., FAR and GSAM) and how this will facilitate the timely updating of any internal acquisition

policy, procedure or guidance issued by the HCA consistent with their delegated authorities.

501.370 Other acquisition policies, procedures, and guidance.

(a) SPE Issuance. The SPE may issue an acquisition letter to provide interim acquisition policies,

procedures, and guidance for a specific period of time or until such time that it can be incorporated

into the GSAM or FAR, as applicable.

(b) HCA Issuance.

(1) HCAs, consistent with their delegated authorities, may issue internal acquisition policies,

procedures, and guidance as described in FAR 1.301(a)(2) for their respective contracting activities.

(2) Internal acquisition policies, procedures, guidance shall not–

(i) Unnecessarily repeat, paraphrase, or otherwise restate the FAR, GSAM or SPE acquisition letters.

(ii) Except as required by law or as provided in subpart 501.4, conflict or be inconsistent with GSAM

content.

(3) Prior to issuance, any new Service-level acquisition policy, procedure, or guidance shall be

distributed to the following for review:

(i) The Office of Small Business Utilization, if applicable.

(ii) The Office of Acquisition Policy.

(c) Contents. All acquisition policy documents must contain the following elements, as appropriate—

(1) Purpose;

(2) Document type (e.g., policy, procedure, or guidance);

(3) Background;

(4) Effective period;

(5) Other affected or cancelled policies;

(6) Applicability (i.e., the offices to which the document applies);

(7) Instructions or requirements;
(8) Designated point of contact or e-mail address; and

(9) Supporting documents, as attachments.

(d) Availability. All GSA publications that include acquisition policies, procedures, or guidance

(including those issued according to paragraph (b) of this section) must be accessible through the

GSA Acquisition Policy Library available at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionpolicylibrary.

(e) Maintenance.

(1) The Office of Acquisition Policy is responsible for maintaining a current list of acquisition

policies, procedures, and guidance issued by the SPE within, or accessible through the GSA

Acquisition Policy Library.

(2)

(i) The Service-level policy organization (e.g., FAS' Office of Policy and Compliance and PBS' Office

of Acquisition) is responsible for maintaining a current list of acquisition policies, procedures and

guidance issued by their respective contracting activities within, or accessible through, the GSA

Acquisition Policy Library.

(ii) Each HCA is responsible for reviewing new or amendments to existing acquisition policies,

procedures and guidance issued at a higher level (e.g., FAR and GSAM) to ensure their existing

acquisition policies, procedures and guidance are current. If changes are needed, the HCA shall

(A) Notify affected contracting activities; and

(B) Update the GSA Acquisition Policy Library.

501.371 Regulatory Agenda Reviews.

(a) The Office of Acquisition Policy conducts a review of existing acquisition policies issued by the

SPE biannually as part of GSA’s Regulatory Agenda. The purpose of the review is to prioritize

resources for incorporating, as appropriate, active acquisition policies into the FAR or GSAM or for

taking other actions, as necessary, to ensure currency of the existing acquisition policies.

(b) HCAs are encouraged to review GSA's Regulatory Agenda and existing acquisition policies issued

by their respective contracting activities and to provide recommendations to the Office of

Acquisition Policy for inclusion in GSA’s Regulatory Agenda.

Subpart 501.4 - Deviations from the FAR and GSAR

501.401 Definition.

For purposes of determining whether an individual or class deviation is appropriate, as used in FAR

subpart 1.4 and in this subpart—

“Contract action” means–
(1) Any oral or written action that results in:

(i) The purchase, rent, or lease of supplies, services, or construction;

(ii) The lease of real property; or

(iii) Modifications to these actions.

(2) Contract actions include, but are not limited to:

(i) Leases for real property;

(ii) Definitive contracts;

(iii) Any type of contract or agreement against which calls, orders, or purchases may be placed (e.g.,

governmentwide acquisition contracts, multi-agency contract, multiple-award contract, and blanket

purchase agreements); and

(iv) Any call, order, or purchase made under leases for real property, contracts, or agreements.

501.402 Policy.

(a) Uniformity is a goal of GSA's Acquisition Management System. Despite this desire for uniformity,

a contracting activity may take any of the following actions:

(1) Develop and test new acquisition policies, procedures, methods or techniques.

(2) Adopt alternate acquisition policies, procedures, methods, or techniques to satisfy unique

programmatic or managerial requirements.

(3) Change an

(i) Existing non-regulatory provision, or

(ii) Existing regulatory provision, including those implementing a statutory requirement provided

the deviation does not violate the underlying statute.

(b) Deviations, as described by paragraph (a) of this section, must not be used to defeat the FAR or

GSAM approval requirements.

(c) When an HCA believes that a deviation may be required on a permanent basis, the HCA should

recommend an appropriate FAR or GSAM revision. Recommendations shall be submitted to the

Office of Acquisition Policy.

501.403 Individual deviations.

(a) Individual deviations to the FAR may be approved by the HCA. HCAs may designate approval

authority for individual deviations to the FAR to a level no lower than the Contracting Executive.

(b) Individual deviations to the GSAM may be approved by the HCA. HCAs may designate approval

authority for individual deviations to the GSAM to a level no lower than the Contracting Executive.
(c) If GSA delegates authority to another agency and requires compliance with the GSAM as a

condition of the delegation, the Contracting Director in the agency receiving the delegation may

approve individual deviations from the GSAM, unless the agency head receiving the delegation

designates another official.

(d) Copies of approved individual deviations shall be sent to the Office of Acquisition Policy within

five business days after approval.

501.404 Class deviations.

(a) General. Class deviations to the FAR and the GSAM may be approved by the SPE, unless FAR

1.405(e) is applicable. A deviation to a multiple-award contract as defined in FAR 2.101 is

considered to be a class deviation.

(b) Submission requirements. Class deviation requests shall be submitted through the contracting

activity's respective policy organization (e.g., FAS' Office of Policy and Compliance and PBS' Office

of Acquisition) to spe.request@gsa.gov for SPE review and approval.

(c) Expiration. Unless otherwise specified in the deviation itself or extended, class deviations expire

12 months from the date of approval.

(d) Other agencies. If GSA delegates authority to another agency and requires compliance with the

GSAM as a condition of the delegation, the HCA in the agency receiving the delegation may approve

class deviations from the GSAM, unless the agency head receiving the delegation designates another

official.

501.470 Content requirements.

(a) Deviation requests shall include the information in 501.304(b) as well as the following

information—

(1) Identification of the type deviation (i.e., an individual or class deviation);

(2) Identification of which paragraph(s) of FAR 1.401 best categorizes the request;

(3) Citations to the specific part or parts of the FAR or GSAM from which a deviation is needed;

(4) The proposed effective period of the deviation; and

(5) If the request is to support a new acquisition, provide a copy of the draft solicitation and

acquisition plan.

Subpart 501.5 - Agency and Public Participation

501.501 Solicitation of agency and public views.

(a) A revision to the FAR or GSAM requires public participation through the rulemaking process if it
is considered to be significant, as defined at FAR 1.501-1. For example, the revision—

(1) Contains a new certification requirement for contractors or offerors that is not imposed by

statute (see FAR 1.107 and 501.107); or

(2) Will be used on a repetitive basis and imposes a new requirement for the collection of

information from 10 or more members of the public (see FAR 1.106).

(b) A revision to the FAR or GSAM does not require public participation through rulemaking if it is

not considered to be significant as defined at FAR 1.501-1. For example, the revision—

(1) Is for a single-use intended to meet the needs of an individual acquisition (e.g., a clause

developed as a result of negotiations and documented in the business clearance or similar

document), except for clauses that constitute a deviation as defined at FAR 1.401; or

(2) Is used on a repetitive basis, but does not impose a new requirement for the collection of

information from 10 or more members of the public (e.g. a requirement for a statement of work)(see

FAR 1.106).

Subpart 501.6 - Career Development, Contracting Authority,

and Responsibilities

501.601 General.

(a) Definitions.

“Administrative Warrant Issuing Agent” means the Director of the GSA Acquisition Workforce

Division (AWD) within the Office of Acquisition Policy.

“Contracting Officer Warrant Board (COWB)” means a group of senior-level acquisition professionals

within a contracting activity who receive, evaluate, and process warrant requests for selection of

contracting officers at the basic, simplified, intermediate, and senior levels.

“Contracting Officer Warrant Program (COWP)” means the standardized process which establishes

the criteria for qualifying, appointing and terminating warrants of GSA contracting officers based on

an organization’s needs for contracting authority.

(b) Contracting Officials.

(1) The Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) is ultimately responsible for managing all aspects of

their respective contracting activity. Additional roles are identified throughout the FAR and GSAM to

support HCAs in their responsibilities, including the Contracting Director, Contracting Activity

Advocate for Competition,and Acquisition Career Navigator (ACN), and Acquisition Subject Matter

Experts (A-SMEs) in key acquisition areas such as small business, labor, sustainability, and

cybersecurity. The HCA may also designate a Contracting Executive by making the appointment in

writing and transmitting a copy to the Senior Procurement Executive. Additional resources for

HCAs, Contracting Executives, Contracting Directors, Advocates for and A-SMEs can be found on

the Acquisition Contacts and Offices page on the GSA Acquisition Portal at

https://insite.gsagov/acquisitionportal..
(2) HCA. A summary of HCA responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

(i) Executive oversight.

(A) Establishing and maintaining internal controls to achieve the objectives of effective and efficient

operations and compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

(B) Monitoring the performance of assigned acquisition activities and acquisition programs,

collecting review results, and adjusting processes with the aim of continuous improvement;

(C) Establishing infrastructure, as necessary, to support acquisition management and oversight for

their workforce members, including systems required to effectively manage contract and workforce

data;

(D) Managing, overseeing and integrating all members of the acquisition workforce ( e.g., Leasing

Specialists, Contract Specialists, Lease Contracting Officers, Contracting Officers, Contracting

Officer’s Representative, Program Managers, Contracting Directors, Contracting Executives,

Advocates for Competition, ACNs, A-SMEs, and other applicable positions) to ensure members are

working effectively and efficiently as a productive team.

(ii) Operational matters.

(A) Procuring solutions, services, supplies, acquiring and divesting real property and personal

property.

(1) For PBS only, also acquiring and divesting real property (including leases, site acquisition,

design and construction), public utilities and real property disposal.

(2) For FAS only, also personal property disposal.

(3) Construction-related procurements.

(i) FAS contracting activities may award contracts that include ancillary commercial constructionrelated products and services as discussed in GSAM 512.203(c);

(ii) FAS contracting activities shall not award contracts for architect-engineering services as defined

in 40 U.S.C. § 1102;

(iii) FAS and PBS shall maintain a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) published on the GSA

Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal setting forth agreed-upon terms,

conditions and limitations to support the acquisition of ancillary commercial construction-related

products and services, including the FAS governmentwide procurement vehicles and the FSS

Program;

(iv) FAS, in consultation with PBS, shall maintain an Ordering Guide published on the MAS Buyer

Resources page at www.gsa.gov, or successor location, that will give specific guidance to ordering

activities procuring ancillary commercial construction-related products and services through the

FSS Program.

(B) Reviewing and approving procurement actions, determinations and decisions.

(C) Reviewing and approving interagency acquisitions.

(iii) Policy matters.
(A) Internal acquisition procedures. Establishing internal acquisition and lease procurement

procedures and guidance for assigned acquisition activities and acquisition programs in accordance

with subpart 501.3;

(B) Acquisition review. Establishing internal acquisition and lease procurement procedures, and

guidance concerning acquisition reviews in accordance with 504.7103;

(C) External acquisition policy. Collaborating with the Service-level policy organization (e.g., FAS’s

Office of Policy and Compliance, PBS’s Office of Acquisition Management and OIA’s Acquisition

Policy and Workforce Division) and the Office of Acquisition Policy for acquisition and lease

procurement policies, procedures, and guidance with external impact, as necessary, see subparts

501.3, 501.4 and 501.5.

(iv) Workforce career management.

(A) Implementing a Contracting Officer Warrant Program in accordance with subpart 501.6,

including establishing additional limits on contracting officer warrant authorities as needed;

(B) Ensuring the acquisition workforce obtains and maintains applicable certifications and/or

specialized credentials to perform the work of their position, including timely completion of

continuous learning and mandatory training requirements;

(C) Ensuring adequate organizational workforce training, staffing, and career development

opportunities to promote recruitment, retention and succession planning.

(v) Redelegations.

HCA authority redelegations are limited pursuant to 502.101 and the following conditions:

(A) The SPE shall be consulted prior to a redelegation;

(B) Redelegations shall be in writing with a copy sent to the SPE at spe.request@gsa.gov; and

(C) Redelegations shall include, as applicable, the following information:

(1) HCA responsibilities being redelegated ( i.e., operational matters, policy matters, workforce

career management);

(2) HCA responsibilities being retained; and

(3) Limitations on the authority or responsibilities being redelegated.

(3) Contracting Executive.

(i) Some GSA contracting activities are so complex that there may be a GSA executive responsible

for contracting operations. In those cases, the HCA may appoint a contracting executive in addition

to or in lieu of a contracting director.

(ii) Contracting Executives may be appointed or rescinded by the HCA and serve within the limits of

their appointed authority.

(iii) Appointments must be in writing with a copy sent to the SPE at spe.request@gsa.gov.

(4) Contracting Director.
(i) A summary of contracting director responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

(A) Coordinating with the HCA or Contracting Executive as appropriate on contracting matters;

(B) Providing oversight of contracting officers within their acquisition program;

(C) Managing, reviewing, and evaluating their associated acquisition program;

(D) Developing, coordinating, and integrating overall plans for their acquisition program to support

agency goals and objectives;

(E) Coordinating with assigned legal counsel for contracting matters as necessary; and

(F) Serving as an advisor on acquisition related matters to senior management and other offices.

(ii) Appointment. Contracting Directors may be appointed or rescinded by the HCA and serve within

the limits of their appointed authority. Appointments must be in writing with a copy sent to the SPE

at spe.request@gsa.gov.

(5) Contracting Activity Advocate for Competition. The duties and responsibilities for Advocates for

Competition are identified in FAR 6.502. Contracting Activity Advocate for Competition may be

appointed or rescinded by the HCA and serve within the limits of their appointed authority.

Appointments must be in writing with a copy sent to the SPE at spe.request@gsa.gov.

(6) Acquisition Career Navigator (ACN).

(i) A summary of ACN responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following, and may vary by

service:

(A) Support the HCA or Contracting Executive as appropriate by managing the workforce career

management responsibilities set forth in paragraph (b)(2)(iv);

(B) Serve as the primary point of contact for inquiries from or to the acquisition workforce on

matters related to acquisition career management within the contracting activity;

(C) Provide guidance for the acquisition workforce utilizing the official system of record for

acquisition career management and ensure consistent data integrity within the system.

(ii) Appointment. Acquisition Career Navigators may be appointed or rescinded by the HCA and

serve within the limits of their appointed authority. Appointments must be in writing with a copy

sent to the SPE at spe.request@gsa.gov.

(7) Acquisition Subject Matter Expert (A-SME).

(i) A summary of A-SME responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following and may vary

by Service:

(A) Support the HCA by serving as advisors on matters related to their respective area of expertise;

and

(B) Serve as the primary point of contact for inquiries from or to the acquisition workforce on

matters related to their respective expertise in key acquisition areas within the contracting activity.

(ii) Key acquisition areas include small business, labor, sustainability, and cybersecurity. HCAs may
appoint A-SMEs in other areas as necessary.

(iii) Appointments of A-SMEs must be in writing with a copy sent to the SPE at spe.request@gsa.gov.

(c) Responsibilities of Acquisition Career Management Positions.

(1) Acquisition Career Manager (ACM). The ACM is responsible for ensuring that the agency’s

acquisition workforce (AWF) meets the requirements established by the agency, OMB’s Office of

Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), and other applicable authorities. The functions of the ACM role

include, but are not limited to–

(i) Managing the identification and development of the AWF;

(ii) Providing recommendations on acquisition-related human capital strategic planning;

(iii) Ensuring that agency policies and procedures for acquisition workforce management are

consistent with those established by OFPP;

(iv) Serving as the agency senior advisor for acquisition human capital matters; and

(v) Representing the agency in government-wide acquisition workforce forums, including, but not

limited to the Interagency Acquisition Career Management Committee, Federal Acquisition Council

on Training, and other government-wide groups, as applicable.

(2) Administrative Warrant Issuing Agent. The Administrative Warrant Issuing Agent will issue

warrants centrally in the official government-wide career management system of record. The

Administrative Warrant Issuing Agent is not an HCA and does not bear responsibility for any of the

actions carried out by the contracting officer under the warrant. The HCA for a contracting activity

shall retain authority and responsibility for acquisition career management, including but not limited

to

(i) Managing the identification and development of the AWF;

(ii) Providing recommendations on acquisition-related human capital strategic planning;

(iii) Fulfilling the obligations established in GSAM 501.603.

(d) The Career Management System of Record. The Clinger-Cohen Act (Public Law 104-106 §4307)

mandated federal agencies to have a database containing education, experience, training and other

data about their AWF. The government-wide career management system is the official system of

record for the federal civilian agency AWF and is maintained by the Federal Acquisition Institute

(FAI).

(1) The AWF shall utilize the official government-wide career management system of record to

conduct and maintain their career management activities for certifications, warrants, and

acquisition training.

(2) Employees are responsible for maintaining the records needed to demonstrate that they have

satisfied certification, warrant and training requirements for quality assurance purposes.

(3) Supervisors must ensure that AWF members are registered in the career management system of

record and maintain data accuracy in the system for their direct reports.

(e) Required Continuous Learning.
(1) GSA-required training within the curricula of a certification or warrant may be assigned, upon

issuance of a certification or warrant, as mandatory continuous learning with a specified deadline

for completion.

(2) Failure to complete any required training within the specified time may result in the expiration

or revocation of the certification or warrant.

(f) For additional information on any of the topics covered in GSAM subpart 501.6, refer to the

Acquisition Career Management page on the GSA Acquisition Portal at

https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

501.602 Contracting officers.

501.602-2 Responsibilities.

(a) Fund sufficiency. A requisition or purchase request signed by an authorized individual is

evidence that sufficient money for the purchase is available in the fund cited.

(b) GSA revolving funds. A requisition for indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts requiring

a guaranteed minimum quantity must specify enough funds to pay for the guaranteed minimum.

(c) GSA funds, other than revolving funds.

(1) The requisitioning activity must certify that additional funds are available before contract or

purchase order award if the purchase exceeds the dollar amount on the requisition by 10percent or

$50, whichever is greater.

(2) If a requisition is not used, e.g.,lease of real property, the contracting officer must ensure funds

are available before awarding the contract.

(d) Other Federal agencies’ funds. A GSA buying activity must not exceed a fund limitation on a

customer agency’s purchase request unless authorized by supply support agreements. If a purchase

request indicates insufficient funds to cover all costs, the customer agency must provide additional

funds. Regardless of which Central Office or Regional buying activity will make the acquisition, the

office initially receiving the requirement requests the additional funds.

501.602-3 Ratification of unauthorized commitments.

(a) Authority to ratify. Under FAR 1.602-3, the contracting officer may ratify unauthorized

contractual commitments if the HCA approves the ratification action. An HCA may not redelegate

approval authority.

(b) Criminal investigation. Generally, the Government is not bound by commitments made by

persons with no contracting authority. Unauthorized commitments may violate laws or regulations.

They constitute serious employee misconduct and may warrant disciplinary action. If unauthorized

commitments involve any type of misconduct that might be punishable as a criminal offense, either

the contracting officer or the employee’s supervisor must report the matter immediately to the

Office of the Inspector General with a request for a complete investigation.
(c) Documentation required for ratification. The individual who made the unauthorized commitment

gives the contracting director all records and documents about the commitment and a complete

written statement of facts, including all the following:

(1) Why normal acquisition procedures were not followed.

(2) Why the contractor was selected.

(3) Other sources considered.

(4) Description of work or products.

(5) Estimated or agreed-upon contract price.

(6) Appropriation citation.

(7) Status of contract performance.

(d) Documentation waivers. Under exceptional circumstances, a contracting director may waive the

requirement that the individual who made the unauthorized commitment must initiate and document

the request for ratification. In such a case, the individual who does initiate the request for

ratification must provide a written determination stating that an unauthorized commitment was

made and identifying the individual who made it. For example, an exceptional circumstance may

occur when the person who made the unauthorized commitment is no longer available to attest to

the circumstances.

(e) Processing a ratification.

(1) The contracting officer must process the request for ratification. Prepare a summary statement

of facts addressing the limitations in FAR 1.602-3(c) and recommend whether or not the

procurement should be ratified. Include a recommendation for other disposition if you advise against

ratification.

(2) Submit to the HCA all the following:

(i) Request for ratification,.

(ii) The contracting officer’s statement of facts and recommendation(s).

(iii) Concurrence of assigned legal counsel (except when the contracting officer recommends

payment based on quantum meruit or quantum valebant).

(iv) If applicable, recommendation for payment on a quantum meruit or quantum valebant basis (see

501.602-3(f)).

(v) Recommendation for corrective action to prevent recurrence.

(f) Payment based on quantum meruit or quantum valebant.

(1) If ratification is not permissible due to legal improprieties, the contracting officer may

recommend that payment be made under either:
(i) Services rendered on a quantum meruit basis (the reasonable value of work or labor).

(ii) Goods furnished on a quantum valebant basis (the reasonable value of goods sold and delivered).

(2) To base payment on either of these conditions, there must be a showing that the Government

has received a benefit (See FAR 1.602-3(d)).

(3) The contracting officer must obtain the approval of assigned counsel before making any payment

on a quantum meruit or quantum valebant basis.

(g) HCA action. The HCA either:

(1) Approves the ratification request in writing and sends the approval to the contracting officer for

issuance of the necessary contractual documents.

(2) Forwards a recommendation for payment on a quantum meruit or quantum valebant basis to

assigned counsel for approval.

(3) Returns an unjustified request or recommendation with a written explanation why the request or

recommendation is denied.

(h) Files. The HCA maintains a separate file containing a copy of each request to ratify an

unauthorized contractual commitment and the response. The HCA must make this file available for

review by the Senior Procurement Executive and the Inspector General.

501.603 Selection, appointment, and termination of appointment for

contracting officers.

501.603-1 General.

(a) Definitions.

“Contracting experience” means personal and substantial involvement in purchasing, renting,

leasing, or otherwise obtaining goods or services from federal and non-federal sources and includes

any of the following functions: preparing and issuing purchase orders, including issuing requests for

quotations or solicitations, evaluating bids or proposals, selecting sources, price/cost analysis,

participating in price negotiations, and contract award and administration.

“Lease amendment” includes the dollar value of Reimbursable Work Authorizations and is based on

the absolute value of changes.

“Total lease contract value” means the entire lease award amount at initial award, including the

dollar value of option periods and excluding the dollar value of Reimbursable Work Authorizations

for tenant improvements that are above standard agency tenant improvement allowances.

(b) Certifications. All employees, regardless of series, must be certified at the designated level in

the appropriate acquisition certification program pursuant to GSA policy and guidance in order to be

considered for a contracting officer warrant.

(1) Application Process:
(i) Applicants are responsible for preparing an application package for submission electronically

through the career management system of record. The electronic application must include all

supporting documentation including transcripts, training certificates, resume, and any other

supporting documents. 

(2) Waivers. The SPE may waive the requirement for obtaining a certification prior to appointment

as a contracting officer. Waivers will only be considered in compelling and well documented

circumstances. This authority is non-delegable. Waivers are not transferable to other agencies.

(c) Contracting Officer Warrant Board Procedures.

(1) GSA contracting and leasing activities shall structure their COWB procedures in a manner that is

consistent with 501.603-2.

(2) Guidance for preparation of written COWB procedures is provided on the GSA Acquisition Career

Management page on the GSA Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(3) Service-level policy organizations (e.g., FAS’s Office of Policy and Compliance, PBS’s Office of

Acquisition Management, PBS Office of Leasing, and Office of Internal Acquisition (OIA’s)

Acquisition Policy and Workforce Division) have the discretion to conduct additional reviews prior to

warrant package submission to the Administrative Warrant Issuing Agent.

(d) Contracting Officer Warrant Program (COWP). GSA’s COWP is administered by the Office of

Acquisition Policy.

(1) Factors in determination of need for warranted contracting officers. The COWP ensures that a

GSA organization has qualified individuals as contracting officers who meet the organization's needs

for contracting authority. Factors considered in determining the number of contracting officers

appropriate for a given organization include volume of actions, work complexity, and organizational

structure.

(2) Training, education and experience. The COWP ensures warrant applicants meet all federal and

agency requirements for training, education and experience.

(3) Responsibilities.

(i) GSA’s SPE:

(A) Establishes the policies, procedures, and requirements that govern COWP.

(B) Approves/disapproves in writing, any deviations, waivers or exemptions from any of the COWP

requirements.

(C) Minimum standards for GSA warrants are identified on the Acquisition Career Management

pages on the GSA Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(ii) HCAs:

(A) Establish and budget for training plans for contracting officers.

(B) Monitor contracting officers’ performance.

(C) Establish controls to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, procedures, and good
management practice with respect to warrant use by contracting officers.

(D) Determine the number of contracting officer warrants necessary for a particular work unit and

the grade levels at which the warrant authority will be granted.

(E) Establish an infrastructure to support acquisition career management, including certifications

and warrant programs, for workforce members.

(F) Appoint the contracting activity’s Contracting Officer Warrant Board (COWB) to process

requests for contracting officer warrants.

(G) Establish written procedures for the COWB to ensure the requirements of Federal Acquisition

Regulation (FAR)1.603 and this section 501.603 are met when appointing contracting officers.

(H) Select and nominate through the COWB qualified candidates for appointment as contracting

officers.

(I) Certify that the candidate, based upon satisfaction of the warrant requirements, supervisor

recommendation, and concurrence of the COWB, is eligible for a specific level of warrant.

(J) Appoint contracting officers. The HCA may further limit warrant authorities at each warrant

level.

(K) May establish additional requirements beyond the minimum standards for training, education,

experience and certifications prior to issuing a warrant.

(L) Retain acquisition career management responsibilities for warrants, based on the contracting

officer's organizational assignment..

(iii) ACM:

(A) Ensures consistent implementation of the COWP across GSA.

(B) Establishes minimum criteria for the contracting activity's COWB to use in the selection,

appointment, and termination of appointment of GSA contracting officers.

(4) Applicability. COWP applies to all contracting officers except those appointed under the

Inspector General Act (Pub. L. 95-452). Contracting authority is not required to:

(i) Sign training authorizations for public course offerings.

(ii) Sign travel documents.

(iii) Order printing and duplicating services from Government sources.

(iv) Order supplies from GSA stock through GSA Advantage! or other electronic means.

(v) Sign Government Bills of Lading.

(vi) Sign system-generated orders for motor vehicles or for requisitions under the Federal

Acquisition Service Special Order Program.

(vii) Authorize interagency transfers of funds.
(viii) Use the Government telephone systems for commercial long distance and local service and/or

approving payments for such services.

(ix) Use the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) nationwide contract for express small package

transportation services and/or approving payments for such services.

(x) Certify receipt and acceptance of goods or services. (This does not apply to certified invoices

under 513.370.)

(xi) Approve system-generated authorizations or payments that do not exceed the micro-purchase

threshold for motor vehicle maintenance service and/or repairs managed by the Electronic

Maintenance and Repair Authorization System (EMRAS).

(5) Warrant levels.

(i) COWP warrant levels are based on the dollar value of individual transactions.

(ii) Individual transactions include the following:

(A) The dollar value of a contract at award or a total lease contract value at award, including the

dollar value of option periods.

(B) The dollar value of a modification award or lease amendment award, individually,and not the

aggregate contract dollar value of a contract or lease including the contract modification or lease

amendment.

(C) The dollar value of a blanket purchase agreement award including the dollar value of option

periods.

(D) The dollar value of a blanket purchase agreement modification award, and not the aggregate

blanket purchase agreement dollar value.

(E) The dollar value of an order award against an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract

(e.g. Federal Supply Schedules, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts, Multi-agency Contacts,

agency- specific indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts) including the dollar value of option

periods, and not the aggregate contact dollar value.

(F) The dollar value of a modification award to an order against an indefinite delivery, indefinite

quantity contract, and not the aggregate order dollar value.

(G) The dollar value of a purchase order.

(H) The dollar value of a modification to a purchase order and not the aggregate purchase order

dollar value.

(iii) If an individual transaction includes both additions and deductions, the aggregate, absolute

value of the changes determines the warrant level required for award (e.g., the value of an individual

action that adds $35,000 of work and deducts $80,000 is $115,000).

(iv) Warrant level thresholds.
Warrant Level Threshold

Basic $25,000

Simplified SAT (SLAT for Leasing) 

Intermediate $10,000,000

Senior Unlimited

1 SLAT Warrant Procurement Limit. Lease procurement awards using a Simplified warrant shall not

exceed a total lease contract value of $10,000,000.

(v) GSA use of the Government purchase card for micro-purchases shall follow the instructions

under GSA Order OAS 4200.1, Use of the GSA Purchase Card.

(e)Contract administration office. The HCA, per 542.302(c) may establish a contract administration

office. A contracting officer with an unlimited warrant may authorize contract administrative

functions in accordance with 542.302(d).

(f) If the HCA determines that the considerations listed under GSAM 542.302(c) warrant the

establishment of a contract administration office, a contracting officer with an unlimited warrant

may authorize contract administrative functions in accordance with GSAM 542.302(d).

501.603-2 Selection.

(a) Contracting Officer Warrant Board (COWB).

(1) The COWB ensures that all of the applicable criteria have been met prior to granting any GSA

contracting officer warrant.

(2)Composition of the COWB. The HCA appoints the Board members and the Chair. The COWB shall

include, at a minimum, the following three voting members: COWB Chair, Supervisor and Senior

Procurement Professional. Unanimous approval from Board members is required for the candidate

to obtain a warrant.

(i)COWB Chair. The COWB Chair (e.g., Contracting Executive or Contracting Director, or Acquisition

Career Navigator (ACN)) evaluates the business need for the candidate to hold a warrant (e.g.,

workload), the appropriate level (e.g., dollar threshold, scope of goods/services), and participates on

the COWB to further evaluate the candidate’s competency to hold the requested warrant.

(ii)Supervisor. The candidate’s immediate supervisor or the individual acting in the role shall serve

as a voting member of the COWB.

(iii)Senior Procurement Professional. The Senior Procurement Professional shall be a senior

contracting officer, procurement policy analyst or subject matter expert with knowledge and

experience to evaluate the candidate’s competency to hold the requested warrant.
(iv)Other Designee. The contracting activity may designate additional acquisition personnel or nonacquisition personnel as appropriate.

(v) Limitation to Members. The same individual cannot serve in multiple roles (e.g., serve as COWB

Chair and Supervisor.

(b) Nominations for appointment. The candidate's supervisor of record will submit the nominations

for appointment to the designated ACN. The designated ACN must coordinate with the candidate

and COWB to facilitate approval by the HCA.

(c) Required documentation for warrant package submission. Incomplete warrant submission

packages will be returned without processing. All the following documents must be completed and

submitted to the Administrative Warrant Issuing Agent (see 501.601) in accordance with warrant

information provided on the Acquisition Portal:

(1)GSA Form 3409, Personal Qualifications Statement for Appointment as Contracting Officer. A

current resume may be used to supplement the GSA Form 3409 but cannot be used in lieu of this

document.

(2)GSA Form 3410, Request for Review, Approval & Appointment. The GSA Form 3410 shall be used

to document the COWB concurrences and HCA approval.

(3)College transcripts. Redacted unofficial college transcripts are acceptable.

(d) Evaluation of candidates for contracting officer warrants. All GSA warrants are valid across the

agency and may be transferred pursuant to the organization's delegated procurement authority. The

supervisor may, but is not required to, conduct a new COWB.

(1) Experience requirements.The COWB must conduct a rigorous review process which may consist

of any combination of quality reviews of past contracts or lease actions, interviews, written and/or

oral testing to assess and document the level of expertise for all candidates to verify the nominee's

contracting experience as defined in 501.603-1(a) . This review shall be conducted at all warrant

levels, for all warrant types.

Warrant Level Experience Required

Basic At least 1 year of current (within last 3 years) contracting experience with

progressively broader assignments

Simplified At least 2 years of current (within the last 5 years) contracting experience

with progressively broader assignments

Intermediate At least 3 years of current (within the last 7 years) contracting experience

with progressively broader assignments

Senior At least 4 years of current (within the last 10 years) contracting experience

with progressively broader assignments

(2) Training requirements. Warrant candidates must complete specific training for the applicable
warrant type as a condition of being issued that warrant as identified on the Acquisition Career

Management pages on the GSA Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(3) Educational requirements. Warrant candidates must complete specific educational requirements

for the applicable warrant type as a condition of being issued that warrant as identified on the

Acquisition Career Management pages on the GSA Acquisition Portal at

https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(4) Credential requirements. Candidates for warrants may be required to obtain Government-wide

credentials through a recognized acquisition training curriculum (e.g., the Federal Acquisition

Institute Cornerstone on Demand or Defense Acquisition University iCatalog) or GSA-specific

credentials for professional or job-related business needs, as determined by the HCA and the

candidate’s supervisor.

(i)OMB requires contracting professionals involved in digital services acquisitions to obtain Federal

Acquisition Certification in Contracting Core-Plus Specialization in Digital Services (FAC-C-DS) (See

OFPP Memo dated May, 18 2018). GSA’s IT Acquisition Credential (ITAC) is an acceptable

alternative to FAC-C-DS (See https://insite.gsa.gov/itac )

(ii)Additional information on Government-wide and GSA-specific credentials can be found on the

GSA Acquisition Career Management page on the Acquisition Portal at

https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(5) Senior Unlimited Acquisition Warrants.

(i) Qualifications. Effective October 1, 2025, new candidates for senior unlimited acquisition

warrants, must possess one of the following:

(A)Previously held a senior unlimited acquisition warrant within GSA or at another Federal agency;

(B)Previously completed all the training required by the legacy FAC-C Level III program; or

(C)Be FAC-C Professional certified and possess at least two credentials related to the work to be

executed under the new warrant authority.

(ii) Exceptions. The HCA may grant an exception to the requirement to hold two credentials provided

a plan and timeline to meet the requirement is established.

(iii) Non-Compliance with Conditional Exception. Failure of candidates for senior unlimited

acquisition warrants to successfully complete and obtain credentials as outlined in any conditional

exception may result in suspension or termination of the warrant.

(iv) Exemptions. Candidates for senior unlimited non-acquisition warrants (i.e., leasing, real property

disposal, personal property disposal, and fleet sales) are exempt from the requirement to obtain two

credentials. This requirement does not apply to warrants issued to make purchases for domestic and

national security emergencies under 501.603-3(d). All other requirements (e.g., certification,

training, experience, and education) must be satisfied before a warrant can be issued.

(6) Additional Guidance on Warrant Requirements. Additional guidance on warrant requirements is

provided on the GSA Acquisition Career Management page on the GSA Acquisition Portal at

https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.
501.603-3 Appointment.

(a) Certificate of appointment.

(1) HCAs approve warrants and appoint contracting officers, prior to issuance of the SF-1402.

(b) Types of appointments. Candidates are nominated for either an interim or permanent

appointment.

(1) Interim appointments. Interim appointments are for a specified period of time. Personnel who

hold interim warrants must complete all training required for a permanent warrant within 1 year of

the interim appointment. Personnel who hold interim warrants above the simplified level must

complete all training and formal education required for a permanent warrant within 3 years of the

interim appointment.

(2) Permanent appointments. A permanent appointment may be made when a candidate meets all

requirements for experience, education, and training at the time the appointment is made.

(c) Applicability of Warrant Authority.

(1)Warrants are valid agency-wide within GSA, with noted exceptions. Operational guidance is

available on the Acquisition Career Management pages on the GSA Acquisition Portal at

https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(2)Contracting officers that transfer to a new contracting activity maintain their existing active

warrant in the new contracting activity upon HCA approval.

(3) Exceptions. Warrants will be administratively terminated upon employee transfer if:

(i)The contracting officer transfers to a non-contracting activity;

(ii)The warrant authority is specific (e.g., Real Property Leasing, Real Property Disposal, Fleet

Acquisition, Fleet Sales, Personal Property Disposal) and the receiving contracting activity does not

have authority for execution of work associated with the requisite warrant;

(iii)The receiving contracting activity does not have an organizational need for the warrant; or,

(iv)The receiving contracting activity needs to increase or decrease the warrant threshold.

(d) Authority to make purchases for domestic and national security emergencies.

(1) A contracting officer may enter into contracts on behalf of a GSA organization different from the

organization specified in their Certificate of Appointment in response to a contingency operation,

defense or recovery from certain attacks, major disaster declarations as defined in FAR 18 and other

domestic or national security emergencies.

(2) The Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer (OCAO) or HCA may grant higher contracting

authority during emergencies for Basic, Simplified and Intermediate warrants.

(3) The OCAO or HCA may appoint contracting officers with authority limited to entering into

contracts required to respond to domestic or national security emergencies. This will provide GSA a

cadre of emergency contracting officers who can instantly respond to emergencies if necessary. For

warrants issued as a direct result of an emergency, the OCAO or HCA must have reasonable
assurance that the employee is eligible to be warranted if the nature of the emergency precludes

submission of otherwise required documentation for the warrant (see 501.603-3(b)).

(e) Record maintenance and disposal.

(1) HCAs are required to keep and maintain comprehensive files containing relevant information on

all appointed contracting officers until such time as all warrant data is fully maintained in the career

management system of record, and as determined by the ACM.

(2) HCAs are required to submit reports, at least on a quarterly basis, to the ACM with consistent

and up to date information on the contracting officer warrants issued and terminated until such time

as all warrant data is fully maintained in the career management system of record, and as

determined by the ACM.

(3) Acquisition professionals are responsible for maintaining a copy of their acquisition training

history and source documents used for certification requests.

(4) In accordance with GSA Order CIO 1820.2, GSA Records Management Program, dispose of

expired contracting officer files and warrants by placing the contracting officer records in an

inactive file following reassignment, termination of employment or revocation of designation. The

inactive file cutoff date is the end of the fiscal year. The files are to be destroyed two years after the

cutoff.

501.603-4 Termination.

(a) The SPE has the authority to suspend or terminate any GSA contracting officer appointment in

any organizational component of the agency. SPE suspensions or terminations of warrants may not

be overridden by any other GSA appointing official.

(b) At any time, an HCA may terminate an appointment, change a permanent warrant to an interim

warrant, reduce the warrant level, or refuse to accept a warrant from another contracting activity.

(c)

(1) The supervisor of record must notify the designated Acquisition Career Management Point of

Contact within the organization when a contracting officer does any of the following:

(i) Resigns.

(ii) Transfers to another agency.

(iii) Is reassigned to another office within GSA.

(iv) Is terminated, or otherwise disciplined, for malfeasance or incompetence.

(v) Does not need the appointment.

(vi) Fails to comply with experience, education or training requirements.

(2)The Acquisition Career Management Point of Contact must notify the Administrative Warrant

Issuing Agent in accordance with the procedures identified on the Acquisition Career Management
pages on the GSA Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(d) Managers within the supervisory chain-of-command may at any time, suspend a contracting

officer's appointment for any of the following:

(1) There is reason to believe that the contracting officer failed to exercise sound business

judgment.

(2) There is reason to believe that the contracting officer engaged in other improprieties in carrying

out contracting officer responsibilities.

(3) Failure of the contracting officer to comply with continuous learning requirements.

501.604 Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

(a) The COR’s role is to develop proper requirements and ensure during contract administration the

contractors meet the commitments of their contracts, including the timeliness and delivery of quality

goods and services as required by the contract.

(b) FAC-COR Certification. When required and regardless of series, employees, must complete the

GSA certification and training requirements to obtain and maintain an active Federal Acquisition

Certification for Contracting Officer's Representative (FAC-COR) at the appropriate level in the

career management system of record. COs determine the certification level required for each

delegation of contract administration as described in the COR appointment letter.

(1) Timeframe. CORs must be certified at the appropriate level no later than 6 months from the date

of their appointment.; an approved SPE waiver is not required to exercise this flexibility.

(2) If an employee has been appointed to serve as a COR, but does not hold an active FAC-COR

certification at the appropriate level within 6 months from the date of the appointment, a waiver

request must be submitted and approved by the SPE (see paragraph (d)). The CO shall remove the

employee from the appointment until the certification has been obtained. COs must confirm that an

employee holds an active FAC-COR certification in the career management system of record. The CO

must confirm throughout the period of performance that the COR certification remains active.

(3) If a CO and/or the employee's supervisor is notified that an employee serving on a COR

delegation is not certified at the appropriate FAC-COR level, the CO shall designate a replacement

COR within 30 calendar days.

(c) COR Critical Elements. Every fiscal year, supervisors are required to include the mandatory

standard (acquisition-related) critical element in all performance plans for GSA employees who hold

a FAC-COR certification and are under an active delegation. Once the standard element is included,

supervisors may add additional duties and performance metrics specific to the responsibilities of the

employee.

(1) This requirement applies to all GSA FAC-COR holders, regardless of the dollar threshold and/or

scope of the contract(s) that they are assigned to support as a COR.

(2) Exclusions.

(i) This requirement does not apply to Contracting Officers who also serve as CORs.
(ii) This requirement does not apply to GS-1170s or Leasing Contracting Officers, of any job series.

(3) Additional information and guidance can be found on the Acquisition Career Management pages

on the GSA Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(d) Waivers. The SPE may waive the requirements for FAC-COR certifications. Waivers will only be

considered in compelling and well documented circumstances for a period not to exceed 6 months.

This authority is non-delegable. FAC-COR waivers are not transferable to other agencies.

(e) Contracting officer’s responsibilities.

(1) In appointing CORs under GSAM 542.2, the contracting officer must take into consideration the

appropriate FAC-COR Level needed to protect the government's interest. The contracting officer

must consider the risk associated with the acquisition, including contract type, in order to determine

the appropriate level of FAC-COR coverage.

(2) Contracting officers must provide appointment letters in writing to the contractor, outlining the

COR's responsibilities under the contract and the limits of the COR's authority to the contractor. The

contracting officer must also provide a copy to the COR and the COR supervisor, and maintain a

copy in the official contract file, or a central file referenced in the contract file.

(3) The contracting officer is authorized to revoke a COR appointment. Any revoked COR

appointment must be documented in writing and maintained in the official contract file or a central

location referenced in the contract file. The CO must notify the COR, the COR's supervisor, the

contractor and the designated Acquisition Career Management Point of Contact (ACM POC) within 7

calendar days of the revocation.

501.670 Category Managers.

(a) Category managers are responsible for identifying inefficient purchasing behavior and crafting

smarter buying strategies within specific areas of spend as described in Government-wide Category

Management, Guidance Document issued by the Office of Management Budget, available at

https://hallways.cap.gsa.gov/information/Gov-wide_CM_Guidance_V1.pdf.

(b) Transactional data. Category managers should use transactional data collected via clauses

552.216-75 and 552.238-80 Alternate I in conjunction with commercial market benchmarks to

identify potential areas for improvement in contracting methods, pricing, and terms or conditions.

501.671 Program and Project Managers (P/PM).

(a) General. The Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM)

core certification program certifies program and project managers at three levels: Entry, Mid and

Senior. This certification program is based upon a competency model of performance outcomes

which measures the knowledge, skills and abilities gained by program and project managers through

professional training, job experience and continuous learning. Program and Project Managers

(P/PMs) are critical to project success, including developing accurate government requirements and

managing life-cycle activities to ensure that intended outcomes are achieved. Information about

FAC-P/PM is available at https://www.fai.gov/ and GSA’s Acquisition Portal at

https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.
(b) FAC-P/PM Certification. When required and regardless of series, employees must complete the

GSA certification and training requirements to obtain and maintain an active Federal Acquisition

Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) at the appropriate level in the career

management system of record. Depending on the project, the FAC-P/PM IT Core-Plus specialty

certification may also be required:

(1) Timeframe. The employee's supervisor must confirm that an employee holds an active FAC-P/PM

certification or specialization at the appropriate level when assigning the employee as a program

manager, project lead or integrated project team (IPT) lead; if not, PMs must be certified at the

appropriate level no later than 12 months from the date of their assignment to a program, project or

IPT; a waiver from the SPE is not required to exercise this flexibility.

(2) If an employee has been assigned to serve as a program manager, project lead or IPT, but does

not hold an active FAC-P/PM certification at the appropriate level within 12 months from the date of

their assignment, a waiver request must be submitted and approved by the SPE (see paragraph (d)).

(3) Any program manager for a major acquisition, including major programs as defined by OMB

Circular A-11, must be FAC-P/PM Level III certified.

(c) FAC-P/PM-IT Specialization.

(1) Applicability. The FAC-P/PM-IT Specialization is required for all GSA P/PMs and IPT leads who

support the following covered projects and programs:

(i)IT projects or programs included in the GSA IT Dashboard

https://itdashboard.gov/drupal/summary/023, meaning they have been designated as major IT

investments by the GSA Chief Information Officer;

(ii)IT projects or programs identified by GSA’s IT Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC)

team as a major investment and shared with the Acquisition Career Manager; or

(iii)IT projects or programs designated by HCA as major or mission critical.

(2) Certification requirements. Any GSA employee pursuing the FAC-P/PM-IT must first hold a mid or

senior level FAC-P/PM Certification (Levels II or III).

(3) Timeframe. Any GSA employee required to have a FAC-P/PM-IT Specialization must obtain a the

certification within 12 months of project assignment. If an employee has been assigned to serve as a

PM for a major program, but does not hold an active FAC-P/PM-IT Specialization within 12 months

from the date of their assignment, a waiver request must be submitted and approved by the SPE (see

paragraph (d)).

(d) Waivers. The SPE may waive the requirements for FAC-P/PM and FAC-P/PM-IT certification.

Waivers will only be considered in compelling and well documented circumstances for a period not

to exceed 12 months. This authority is non-delegable. FAC-P/PM-IT waivers are not transferable to

other agencies. Waiver requests shall be submitted by the ACM POC for the requesting organization

to the OGP Acquisition Workforce Division for review and routing to the SPE.

501.672 Acquisition Certification Programs.

(a) All GSA employees are required to obtain and maintain Federal Acquisition Certifications (FAC)
and GSA-Specific Acquisition Certifications as determined by the business needs of their

organization with emphasis upon the type of work they will perform. To obtain and maintain such

certifications, GSA employees shall comply with the certification and training requirements

established by the OMB, OFPP, FAI and GSA. Information about the certification and training

requirements is available at http://www.fai.gov and GSA's Acquisition Portal at

https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(b) GSA-Specific Acquisition Certification Programs. The SPE has established agency-specific

certification programs as specializations for Acquisition Workforce (AWF) members who perform

under acquisition and contracting authorities that are unique to GSA. The AWF member shall obtain

such credentials and complete specialty training relevant to the needs of their current job

assignment, and will engage in relevant continuous learning to maintain the certification pursuant to

the requirements of the program.

(1) GSA Fleet Acquisition Certification Program (Fleet-C). GSA Fleet Acquisition employees working

in the Accident Management Center (AMC) and Maintenance Control Center (MCC), when required

by business and operational need and regardless of series will be required to obtain and maintain

the Fleet-C certification, pursuant to GSA policy and guidance.

(i) The Fleet-C, in good standing, shall be required for warrant eligibility of Fleet personnel.

(ii) All Fleet Acquisition COs with warrants issued prior to October 1, 2015 shall be excepted from

the education requirement for this certification program. Training and experience requirements

shall not be excepted.

(2) GSA Real Property Leasing Certification Program (LCP). GSA Leasing, Outleasing, and Site

Acquisition Contracting Officers regardless of series, are required to obtain and maintain this

certification, pursuant to GSA policy and guidance.

(i) This certification shall be required for warrant eligibility for Leasing, Outleasing, and Site

Acquisition professionals.

(ii) All Leasing, Outleasing, and Site Acquisition COs with warrants issued prior to October 1, 2015

shall be excepted from the education requirement for this certification program. Training and

experience requirements shall not be excepted.

(3) GSA Personal Property Disposal-Fleet Sales Certification Program (PPFS-C). GSA Personal

Property Disposal and/or Fleet Sales employees when required by business and operational need and

regardless of series, are required to obtain and maintain the PPFS-C certification, pursuant to the

policy and guidance.

(i) The PPFS-C shall be required for warrant eligibility by all personal property disposal and fleet

sales personnel.

(ii) All Personal Property Disposal-Fleet Sales COs (SCOs) with warrants issued prior to October 1,

2015 shall be excepted from the education requirement for this certification program. Training and

experience requirements shall not be excepted.

(4) GSA Real Property Disposal Certification Program (RPD-C). GSA Real Property Disposal

Contracting Officers (Disposal COs), regardless of series, are required to obtain and maintain this

certification, pursuant to GSA policy and guidance.

(i) The RPD-C shall be required for warrant eligibility for real property disposal personnel.
(ii) All Disposal COs with warrants issued prior to October 1, 2015 shall be excepted from the

education requirement for this certification program. Training and experience requirements shall

not be excepted.

(c) Surrender. If an AWF member wishes to surrender their FAC or agency-specific certification,

their ACM POC must submit the request to AWD stating that the employee has:

(1) Attained approval for the termination from their supervisor,

(2) Confirmed that the certification is no longer needed within the next two fiscal years,

(3) Understood that, in order to obtain a new certification after the surrender, they will be required

to complete the certification requirements in effect at that time, and

(4) Agreed that any warrant associated with their FAC-C or agency-specific certification will be

terminated.

(d) Waivers. The SPE may waive the requirements for a certification program. Waivers will only be

considered in compelling and well documented circumstances. This authority is non-delegable.

Waivers are not transferable to other agencies. Waiver requests shall be submitted by the ACM POC

for the requesting organization to the OGP Acquisition Workforce Division for review and routing to

the SPE.

(e) Reciprocity of Certification Programs. Pursuant to the policies and guidance established by GSA,

the applicant shall present evidence of the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act

(DAWIA) or FAC certification for consideration to obtain a FAC or agency-specific certification

through reciprocity.

(1) Reciprocity with DOD Certification Programs. GSA may recognize DAWIA certifications (Public

Law 101-510) issued by DOD activities.

(2) Reciprocity with FAC Programs.

(i) FAC-C to FAC-COR. Individuals certified as FAC-C are considered to have met FAC-COR

requirements per OMB Memo "Revisions to the FAC-COR" dated September 6, 2011 (see

https://www.fai.gov/). Individuals certified as FAC-C at Level I or higher are considered to have met

the FAC-COR requirements for Level II or higher.

(ii) FAC-P/PM to FAC-COR. Individuals certified as FAC-P/PM are considered to have met FAC-COR

requirements per OMB Memo "Revisions to the FAC-COR" dated September 6, 2011 (see

https://www.fai.gov/). Individuals certified as FAC-P/PM Level II or higher are considered to have

met the FAC-COR requirements for that same level.

Subpart 501.7 - Determinations and Findings

501.707 Signature authority.

Refer to the appropriate FAR and GSAM section to identify the required approval thresholds for

D&Fs.
The contracting officer shall obtain approvals as required by the Service prior to routing any D&Fs

to the SPE.

Appendix 501A - [Reserved]