Department of Defense

INSTRUCTION

NUMBER 5000.72 

March 26, 2015 

Incorporating Change 2, November 6, 2020 

USD(A&S) 

SUBJECT: DoD Standard for Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Certification 

References: See Enclosure 1

1. PURPOSE. In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive 5135.02 (Reference (a)), this 

instruction: 

a. Establishes policies and standards, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures to 

certify CORs to implement the recommendation of the DoD Panel on Contracting Integrity set

out in the 2008 report to Congress (Reference (b)).

b. Establishes uniform guidance for identification, development, certification, and 

management of CORs within the DoD.

c. Implements Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum (Reference (c)).

d. Incorporates and cancels the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, 

and Logistics Memorandum (Reference (d)).

2. APPLICABILITY. This instruction: 

a. Applies to: 

(1) OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 

Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the 

Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other 

organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this instruction as the “DoD 

Components”). 

(2) Contracting officers, personnel with authorities and responsibilities in accordance 

with subpart 1.602-2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (Reference (e)). 
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(3) CORs, personnel delegated specific responsibilities by the contracting officer in 

accordance with subpart 1.602-2 of Reference (e) and subpart 201.602-2 of the Defense Federal 

Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) (Reference (f)). 

(4) Requiring activities and management of CORs including individual COR 

supervisors. 

 b. Does not apply to personnel assigned to provide: 

(1) Contract administration support pursuant to subpart 42.202(a) of Reference (e). 

(2) Quality assurance support in accordance with subpart 46.502 of Reference (e).

3. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:

a. All CORs must be employees, military or civilian, of the U.S. Government, a foreign 

government, or North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)/coalition partners. In no case will 

contractor personnel serve as CORs.

 b. Contracting officers will designate a COR for all service contracts, including construction, 

unless the contracting officer retains and executes contract oversight responsibilities when the 

conditions of subpart 201.602-2 of the DFARS Procedures, Guidance, and Information 

(Reference (g)) exist. CORs may be required for any other contract when the need for a COR is 

determined by the contracting officer. The contracting officer always has the right to designate a 

COR when it is in the best interest of the U.S. Government.

c. A qualified COR is designated for all contracts or orders placed for DoD requirements, 

regardless of whether or not contract actions are executed by a DoD or non-DoD contracting 

officer. In the event that a non-DoD COR is designated by the contracting officer, the designated 

COR must meet either all DoD COR training and experience requirements or Federal 

Acquisition Certification-COR training and certification requirements. 

 d. Surveillance activities performed by CORs are tailored to the dollar value and complexity 

of the specific contract for which they are designated. 

 e. Minimum COR competencies, experience, and training depend on the dollar value, 

complexity of the requirement, and contract performance risk for which the COR is designated. 

For purposes of this instruction, the types of standards are: 

(1) Type A: Fixed-price contracts without incentives and low performance risk. 

(2) Type B: Fixed-price contracts with incentives; fixed-price contracts with other than 

low performance risk; and other than fixed-price contracts. This includes everything other than 

Types A and C. 
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(3) Type C: Unique contract requirements that necessitate the COR have a higher 

education or specialized training beyond the Type B requirements. 

f. The contracting officer will determine whether the duties and responsibilities of the COR 

meet the criteria for filing a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) as set 

forth in section 2634.904 of Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (Reference (h)), and section 7-

300 of DoD 5500.07-R (Reference (i)). CORs designated as OGE Form 450 filers will submit a 

new entrant report and, if applicable, annual reports thereafter to the supervisor through the 

contracting officer to the ethics counselor for final review and certification. The contracting 

officer will use his or her judgment to decide if a COR needs to file an OGE Form 450 after 

considering the COR’s designated duties and responsibilities and level of supervision and 

review. A COR should be designated as an OGE Form 450 filer if the COR will exercise 

significant judgment without substantial supervision and review. 

4. RESPONSIBILITIES. See Enclosure 2. 

5. PROCEDURES. See Enclosure 3. 

6. INFORMATION COLLECTIONS. The Confidential Financial Disclosure Report rendered 

throughout this issuance has been assigned the Office of Management and Budget control 

number 3209-0006 in accordance with the procedures in Volume 2 of DoD 

Manual 8910.01(Reference (p)). The expiration date of this information collection is listed on 

the DoD Information Collections System at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRASearch. 

7. RELEASABILITY. Cleared for public release. This instruction is available on the 

Directives Division Website at https://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/. 

8. SUMMARY OF CHANGE 2. The changes to this issuance:

 a. Incorporate the DoD’s decision to re-engineer the Contracting Officer Representative 

Tracking Tool into two separate modules, the Joint Appointment Module (JAM) and 

Surveillance and Performance Monitoring (SPM), and associated changes to the COR process. 

 b. Reflect that the Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) training is now required every 

3 years in accordance with Reference (o). 

c. Remove the requirement to take Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) Training. 
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9. EFFECTIVE DATE. This instruction is effective March 26, 2015. 

Frank Kendall

Under Secretary of Defense

For Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics

Enclosures 

 1. References

2. Responsibilities

 3. Procedures

 4. COR Documentation 

5. Qualification Requirements for CORs 

6. Examples of COR Responsibilities and COR Certification Requirements

Glossary
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ENCLOSURE 1: REFERENCES ...................................................................................................6 

ENCLOSURE 2: RESPONSIBILITIES .........................................................................................7 

PRESIDENT, DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY (DAU) ..........................................7 

 DOD COMPONENTS HEADS ................................................................................................7 

ENCLOSURE 3: PROCEDURES ..................................................................................................9 

CONTRACTING OFFICER .....................................................................................................9 

REQUIRING ACTIVITY OR COR MANAGEMENT ..........................................................11 

COR NOMINEE OR COR ......................................................................................................13 

ENCLOSURE 4: COR DOCUMENTATION..............................................................................15 

COR NOMINATION ..............................................................................................................15 

COR LETTER OF DESIGNATION VIA JAM ......................................................................16 

TERMINATING THE LETTER OF DESIGNATION ...........................................................17 

JAM AND SPM MODULES...................................................................................................17 

ENCLOSURE 5: QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CORS .......................................19 

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS ..............................................................................................19 

AGENCY EXPERIENCE .......................................................................................................20 

RELEVANT TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE ...........................................................................21 

COMPETENCIES ...................................................................................................................21 

REFRESHER TRAINING.......................................................................................................22 

WAIVER OF TRAINING .......................................................................................................23 

ENCLOSURE 6: EXAMPLES OF COR RESPONSIBILITIES AND COR 

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................24 

TABLES

 

 1. Examples of COR Responsibilities .....................................................................................24 

2. DoD Standard for Certification of CORs – Type A..... .....................................................28 

3. DoD Standard for Certification of CORs – Type B ............................................................29 

4. DoD Standard for Certification of CORs – Type C ............................................................30 

GLOSSARY ..................................................................................................................................31 

PART I: ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ................................................................31 

PART II: DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................32 
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ENCLOSURE 1

REFERENCES

(a) DoD Directive 5135.02, “Under Secretary of Defense For Acquisition And Sustainment 

(USD(A&S)),” July 15, 2020 

(b) DoD Panel on Contracting Integrity 2008 Report to Congress, January 5, 2009 

(c) Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum, “Monitoring Contract Performance in 

Contracts for Services,” August 22, 2008 

(d) Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Memorandum, 

“DoD Standard for Certification of Contracting Officer’s Representatives (COR) for 

Service Acquisitions,” March 29, 2010 (hereby cancelled) 

(e) Federal Acquisition Regulation, current edition 

(f) Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement, current edition 

(g) Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement Procedures, Guidance, and 

Information, current edition 

(h) Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations 

(i) DoD 5500.07-R, “Joint Ethics Regulation (JER),” August 30, 1993, as amended 

(j) Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum, “Establishment of the Office of the Under 

Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Office of the Under Secretary 

of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment,” July 13, 2018 

(k) DoD Instruction 5000.57, “Defense Acquisition University (DAU),” December 18, 2013, 

as amended

(l) Title 10, United States Code 

(m) Title 41, United States Code 

(n) Title 31, United States Code 

(o) DoD Instruction 2200.01, “Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP),” June 21, 2019 

(p) DoD Manual 8910.01, Volume 2, “DoD Information Collections Manual: Procedures for 

DoD Public Information Collections,” June 30, 2014, as amended 
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ENCLOSURE 2

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. PRESIDENT, DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY (DAU). Under the authority, 

direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment 

through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and in support of Enclosure 5 of this 

instruction, the President, DAU: 

a. Supports the Principal Director of Defense Pricing and Contracting in the development, 

maintenance, publication, and implementation of the DoD COR standard competency model. 

 b. Develops and maintains the baseline COR-specific training curriculum aligned to the DoD 

COR standard competency model.

c. Provides online COR-specific training that conforms to Type A, B, and C standards. 

 d. Provides a limited number of classroom offerings of COR-specific training within existing 

DAU resources available for this purpose. 

e. Identifies DoD and commercial COR training resources, and assesses the availability of 

training that conforms to Type A, B, and C standards. 

f. Provides a process for commercial training vendors and DoD Components to have its

training programs evaluated by an independent professional organization for equivalency to the 

DoD COR-specific training curriculum in accordance with DoDI 5000.57 (Reference (k)). 

g. Qualifies and assists DoD Components that intend to offer the DoD COR-specific training 

curriculum. Establishes qualification standards and approves the designation of the DoD 

Component’s instructors to teach the DAU course(s).

 h. Provides supporting learning assets as appropriate, such as knowledge sharing, continuous 

learning modules, rapid deployment training, mission support, and other means to support the 

DoD COR standard. 

2. DOD COMPONENT HEADS. The DoD Component heads: 

a. Appoint general or flag officer, Senior Executive Service, or equivalent GS-15 rank senior 

officials to oversee implementation of, and continued compliance with, this instruction for 

identification, training, development, management, and certification of CORs.

b. Designate a COR coordinator to provide functional advice to oversee, report, and 

maintain as current and technically accurate the appropriate COR education, training, and 
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experience, including competencies and content of the courses, and the COR management 

program. 

 c. Establish an appropriate COR management program that provides points of contact on 

matters relating to COR education, training, and development. These points of contact will 

advise all CORs on their COR education, training and development; and provide either the local 

Judge Advocate General (JAG) office or the Office of General Counsel (OGC), immediately 

upon the appointment of a COR designated as an OGE Form 450 filer, the COR’s name and date 

of appointment, and annually by January 1st, a list of all CORs required to file OGE Form 450s. 

 d. Mandate DoD Component-specific COR policies and procedures require that performance 

of COR responsibilities are addressed in COR performance assessments.

 e. Develop policies and procedures for designation, training, development, management, and 

certification of CORs consistent with this instruction. 

 f. Develop policies and procedures that specify the roles, responsibilities, and authorities for 

the various offices and individuals involved with COR performance. 

 g. Develop procedures for identification, nomination, designation, and termination of CORs.

 h. Ensure that a qualified COR is designated for all contracts or orders placed for DoD 

requirements, consistent with DoD policy, regardless of whether or not contract actions are 

executed by a DoD or non-DoD contracting officer. 

 i. Recommend funding levels in the annual budget submission to implement the training, 

education, and other requirements of the DoD Component COR training, development, 

management, and certification program. 

 j. Ensure that the COR training, development, management, and certification program meets 

or exceeds the basic requirements of the DoD standard for COR certification as described by this 

instruction. 

 k. Integrate the training, development, experience, and certification requirements of the DoD 

Component COR program with personnel policies and procedures to ensure that CORs meet the 

requirements of the DoD standard for COR certification and that performance of designated

COR responsibilities is addressed in annual performance assessments of the COR. 

 l. Use both the JAM and SPM modules within the Procurement Integrated Enterprise 

Environment (PIEE) suite of tools located at https://piee.eb.mil/piee-landing in accordance with 

subpart 201.602-2 of Reference (g). 
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ENCLOSURE 3

PROCEDURES

1. CONTRACTING OFFICER. The contracting officer:

a. Determines the need for either a COR, or multiple or alternate CORs, to assist in technical 

monitoring and contract oversight of a contract. The contracting officer also determines whether 

a COR needs to file an OGE Form 450 based on the COR’s designated duties and responsibilities

and level of supervision and review. 

(1) If required, the contracting officer must notify the requiring activity of the need for a 

COR(s) as referenced in paragraph 2 of this enclosure and paragraph 1 of Enclosure 4 of this 

instruction. See Enclosure 6 of this instruction for examples of responsibilities that might be 

designated to a COR. The designation of a COR for a specific contract, via letter of designation, 

constitutes certification of that individual for performance of COR responsibilities under that 

specific contract.

(2) In designating CORs, the contracting officer should consider whether the person to 

be designated is already performing COR duties and responsibilities on another contract (or 

contracts).

(3) Although there is no prohibition from performing COR duties on more than one 

contract simultaneously, the contracting officer must ensure that individuals designated as CORs 

are able to dedicate sufficient time to perform effective oversight on each designated contract.

(a) The number of contracts for which a COR may be assigned is a matter for the 

judgment of the contracting officer considering the size, scope, and complexity of the individual 

contracts.

(b) When an individual is designated as a COR for more than one contract (or more 

than one task or delivery order under a contract), a letter of designation must be provided for 

each contract (or task or delivery order).

(4) The COR certification remains in effect until either the contract period of 

performance ends or the COR is terminated by the contracting officer.

(5) The contracting officer will not designate him or herself as a COR on a contract that 

he or she awarded because, by default, the contracting officer is retaining all oversight 

responsibilities for the contract. 

 b. On receipt of a procurement request, reviews the requirement to determine if it requires 

performance of supplies or services; and whether assistance in technical monitoring and contract 

oversight of the anticipated contract is required or beneficial. 
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(1) If a COR is required, identify by the type of standard (i.e., Type A, B, or C), the 

duties, and responsibilities to be performed. The contracting officer advises the requiring 

activity of the need for COR(s) support and the qualification requirements mandated by 

Enclosure 5 of this instruction. 

(2) Consideration for multiple or alternate CORs include: multiple regions or remote 

geographic locations of performance, contract complexity or performance risk, the need for 

increased surveillance, or magnitude of the requirement. 

 c. When applicable, designates a properly trained COR in writing within 3 business days of 

award of all service contracts, including both firm-fixed-price and other than firm-fixed-price 

contracts, and supply contracts with cost reimbursement line items in accordance with subpart 

201.602-2 of Reference (g).

(1) Contracting officers may waive COR specific initial and refresher training 

requirements for COR nominees who have obtained a minimum of Level II “Certification in 

Contracting” (1102 job series), “Industrial Property Management” (1103 job series), or “Quality 

Assurance” (1910 job series), in accordance with sections 1701-1764 of Title 10, United States 

Code, also known and referred to in this instruction as “The Defense Acquisition Workforce 

Improvement Act (DAWIA)” (Reference (l)). New entrant and annual DoD Component 

provided ethics training may not be waived. New entrant and refresher CTIP training in 

accordance with Reference (o) may not be waived.

(2) Contracts may cover delivery of both supplies and services. The contracting officer 

will consider total delivery requirements of the contract when assessing whether the 

requirements of Reference (g) apply. 

(3) The contracting officer will consider the limitations on delegating responsibilities to 

a COR that have been delegated to a contract administration office (CAO) in accordance with 

subparts 1.602-2 and 42.2 of Reference (e) and subpart 201.602-2 of Reference (f).

d. On receipt of the COR nomination from the requiring activity, reviews the nomination to 

determine if the COR nominee is qualified by education, training, and experience. Notifies the 

requiring activity that the COR nominee is acceptable, or identifies deficiencies and request 

additional nominations. The COR nomination, designation, and acceptance will be completed 

through the JAM. 

e. Provides an orientation to the COR nominee to address the designated responsibilities, the 

importance of performance, personal conflicts of interest and potential conflicts of interest, 

informal commitments, unauthorized commitments, and the ethics expected in relationships with 

the contracting officer, COR management, and the contractor.

 f. Notifies the contractor and CAO of the designation of responsibilities and limits of the 

COR’s authority. A copy of the executed COR letter of designation should be provided to the 

CAO.
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g. Ensures that the signed letter of designation is included in JAM and the COR’s 

surveillance file within SPM. 

 h. Reviews COR reports, files, and other documentation for completeness and 

accomplishment of duties. 

i. Provides feedback on COR performance to the COR’s supervisor. If the COR’s reports

and performance are inadequate, discuss performance with the COR. If the reports and the 

COR’s performance continue to be inadequate, discuss the COR’s performance with the 

requiring activity or the COR’s management. If reports or performance continue to be 

inadequate, notify both the COR and requiring activity or COR management that the COR 

designation is (will be) terminated and request nominations for a replacement COR.

 j. Documents the termination of a COR designation due to transfer, retirement, or other 

causes in writing. Notice of termination must be executed by the contracting officer, 

acknowledged by the COR and COR management and posted in the JAM and SPM modules. In 

addition, the termination notice must be provided to the COR Coordinator who will provide 

notice to either the local JAG or OGC.

2. REQUIRING ACTIVITY OR COR MANAGEMENT. The requiring activity or COR 

management:

a. Ensures a COR is nominated as early in the acquisition cycle as practicable, before 

contract award, to provide subject matter expertise during acquisition planning and contract 

formation to ensure familiarity with the requirement, specific terms and conditions of the 

resultant contract, and the responsibilities to be designated. 

(1) The size, scope, and complexity of the individual contract, or task or delivery order 

under a contract, should be considered when an individual will be nominated and perform as a 

COR on multiple contract actions. In these instances, alternate or multiple CORs should be 

considered. 

(2) When an individual is nominated as a COR for more than one contract (or more than 

one task or delivery order under a contract), a nomination is required for each contract, or task or 

delivery order. However, a letter of designation signed by the contracting officer may reference 

multiple order numbers. 

 b. Ensures that a qualified COR is nominated for all contracts or orders placed for DoD 

requirements, regardless of whether or not the contract actions are executed by a DoD or nonDoD contracting officer. 

 c. Discusses COR responsibilities to be designated and the importance of performance of 

COR responsibilities with the COR nominee.

 d. Approves the COR nomination using JAM. 
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 (1) Determine that the COR nominee has no personal conflicts of interest with 

performing the responsibilities to be designated. Conflicts of interest determinations are to be 

reviewed again before contract award.

 (2) Unless DoD Component procedures require additional documentation, the 

contracting officer will rely on the COR management determination that there are no personal 

conflicts of interest. 

 e. Ensures the COR nominee is registered as a)PIEE online user (located at 

https://piee.eb.mil/piee-landing). 

 f. Ensures the COR nominee has the necessary clearance for the contract. 

 g. Ensures the COR nominee has completed an OGE Form 450 within the time periods 

specified in section 2634.903 of Reference (h) and section 7-303 of reference (i) for new entrant 

filers. The contracting officer decides if a COR needs to file an OGE Form 450 based on the 

COR’s designated duties and responsibilities and level of supervision and review. 

 h. Ensures the COR nominee understands the requirement to complete a yearly 

administrative review of COR files with the contracting officer in the anniversary month of their

designation. 

 i. Ensures the COR nominee understands that he or she may be held personally and 

financially liable for unauthorized acts. 

j. Ensures the COR nominee is provided and completes all required annual training along 

with any additional training mandated by the contracting activity in accordance with Enclosure 5 

of this instruction. 

 k. Ensures the COR nominee is provided and completes the COR specific refresher training 

as required every 3 years in accordance with Enclosure 5 of this instruction. 

 l. Ensures adequate resources (e.g., time, supplies, equipment, opportunity) are available for 

performance of COR responsibilities before contract award.

 m. Incorporates performance of COR responsibilities into COR nominee’s performance 

objectives for either their annual performance appraisal or performance assessment. The 

supervisor evaluates the performance of COR responsibilities as part of the COR’s individual 

performance appraisal or performance assessment throughout the period of the contract; and is 

required to solicit input on performance of COR responsibilities from the contracting activity. 

 n. Neither delegates nor re-delegates any COR responsibilities that were designated to the 

COR by the contracting officer.

 o. If a COR is terminated before the contract performance ends, nominates a qualified 
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successor COR who must be trained and designated specific responsibilities by the contracting

officer before he or she assumes those responsibilities. The nomination should be completed as 

timely as possible to avoid or minimize any lapse of contract surveillance. 

 (1) Only the requiring activity or COR supervisor may request termination of a COR to 

the contracting officer and nominate a qualified successor COR if needed, unless COR 

performance is determined inadequate by the contracting officer. 

 (2) If notified by a contracting officer that COR performance is inadequate, the requiring 

activity or COR management, including the COR supervisor, must re-emphasize with the COR 

the importance of the COR function and responsibilities. The requiring activity or COR 

management should notify the contracting officer of these completed actions.

 (3) If notified by a contracting officer that COR performance remains inadequate and 

that the letter of designation will be terminated, take action to identify and nominate a 

replacement COR. Deficient performance by the terminated COR should also be addressed in 

either the COR’s annual performance appraisal or performance assessment.

 (4) Ensure that the terminated COR submits all reports, as required by the contracting 

officer; records; and the COR files to the COR management or successor COR, as appropriate. 

3. COR NOMINEE OR COR. The COR nominee or COR: 

 

a. Completes the OGE Form 450 when designated as a filer by the contracting officer. The 

COR must submit the completed OGE Form 450 directly to his or her supervisor through the 

contracting officer for review.

 b. Completes the required COR training or refresher training before contract award as 

described in Enclosure 5, unless waived in accordance with paragraph 6 of Enclosure 5. 

c. Participates, as appropriate, in pre-award activities such as requirements definition, 

acquisition planning, and contract formation processes. 

 d. Establishes and maintains individual COR files for each contract in accordance with

subpart 201.602-2 of Reference (g) and DoD Component procedures. COR files will be 

available for review by the contracting officer, internal review officials, or other officials as 

authorized by the contracting officer. 

e. Reviews and understands those contract terms and conditions that apply to their assigned 

COR duties and responsibilities. 

f. Neither delegates nor re-delegates any COR responsibilities that were delegated to the 

COR by the contracting officer. 
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 g. Neither misrepresents the limits of their authority in dealings with the contractor nor takes 

any action which may constitute, or appear to constitute, an informal agreement or unauthorized 

commitment. A COR may be held personally and financially liable for unauthorized acts. 

 h. Provides input on accomplishment of COR responsibilities for either their annual 

performance appraisal or performance assessment. 

 i. Provides reports on contract performance to the contracting officer using the SPM module. 

If advised by the contracting officer that the reports are inadequate, ensure revised reports 

address inadequate issues and are determined adequate by the contracting officer. 

 j. When advised by the contracting officer or COR management that the COR designation 

will be terminated, ensures all reports, records, and communications are made available to 

management, the successor COR, and the contracting officer. 

 k. Requests relief from the COR designation through the COR supervisor and management 

in advance of prolonged non-COR related temporary duty, reassignment or separation from the 

U.S. Government to permit the requiring activity adequate time to select, train and nominate a 

qualified successor COR.
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ENCLOSURE 4 

COR DOCUMENTATION

1. COR NOMINATION 

a. The request for a COR nomination and completing the nomination is a collaborative effort 

among the COR, the requiring activity, or COR management, and the contracting officer. It 

must be completed as early in the acquisition process as possible to allow COR participation in 

pre-award activities. In all cases, the COR nomination must be submitted before contract award.

 b. The contracting officer may request the following from the appropriate official in the 

requiring activity when a COR is nominated: 

 (1) A procurement request number, solicitation number, or contract number. 

 (2) The type of standard (i.e., Type A, B, or C), responsibilities identified for COR 

performance, and qualifications, such as training and experience (i.e., agency and technical), in 

accordance with Enclosure 5 of this instruction. 

 (3) The anticipated period of performance of COR responsibilities. 

 (4) Whether the COR nominee will participate in pre-award activities. 

 (5) A deadline for receipt of the COR nomination. 

 (6) The necessary security clearance the COR nominee must have for the contract. 

 (7) Whether the COR will be designated as an OGE Form 450 filer. 

 (8) If there will be a recommendation to waive agency experience requirements, the 

basis for the waiver must be addressed and included in the COR nomination. 

c. The requiring activity or COR management will be provided access to PIEE to complete 

and approve the nomination. The COR nominee must have a PIEE account and the SPM COR 

role to complete the nomination.. If the contracting officer requires access to the contractor 

performance assessment reporting system (CPARS), the synchronized pre-deployment and 

operational tracker (SPOT), an account would be required after COR designation. 

2. COR LETTER OF DESIGNATION VIA JAM. The DoD Components will use the PIEE 

website to access the JAM (located at https:// piee.eb.mil/piee-landing) to ensure the COR 

nominee, COR supervisor, contract specialist, and the contracting officer complete the following 

tasks.
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 a. The COR letter of designation from the contracting officer must:

 (1) Identify the COR by name and position. 

 (2) Identify the contractor and contract number, including task or delivery order number, 

and date of award. 

 (3) Specify that the designation is pursuant to the authority in subpart 1.602-2 of 

Reference (e). 

 (4) Specify the extent of the COR’s authority to act on behalf of the contracting officer, 

such as specific roles and responsibilities designated to the COR. 

 (5) Specify the limitations on the COR’s authority. 

 (6) Identify the period covered by the designation. 

 (7) Specify the authority is not re-delegable, and cannot be re-designated or transferred. 

 (8) Specify the COR may be personally and financially liable for unauthorized acts. 

 (9) Address standards of conduct and personal conflicts of interest, either real or 

apparent. 

 (10) Certify the COR meets the qualification requirements established in this instruction 

for the specific type of standard. 

 (11) Stipulate whether the COR will be a departmental accountable official (DAO). The 

COR will be a DAO if their responsibilities include providing information, data, or services that 

are directly relied on by the certifying official in the certification of vouchers for payment (i.e., 

public vouchers on a cost reimbursement contract). 

 (12) Specify the COR is responsible for notifying COR management and the contracting 

officer if unable to continue performance as the COR.

 (13) Where applicable, specify that the COR must file an OGE Form 450. 

 b. The letter of designation to the COR must be signed by the contracting officer, COR 

management, and the COR. The original executed letter of designation will be retained in JAM. 

A copy of the letter of designation will be maintained in the COR surveillance file in the SPM 

module for access by the COR and COR management.

 c. The contracting officer will provide a copy of the executed letter of designation to the 

CAO, quality assurance activity, and property administration activity, if applicable. 
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 d. The executed letter of designation constitutes certification for performance of COR 

responsibilities for the time period specified under the specific contract, task, or delivery order. 

e. The executed letter of designation and the effective dates are included in the JAM and 

viewable in the SPM modules. 

3. TERMINATING THE LETTER OF DESIGNATION

 

a. The letter terminating a COR’s designation must identify and address:

 (1) The COR by name and position. 

 (2) The contractor and contract number, including task or delivery order number. 

 (3) Date of termination.

 (4) Reason for termination (e.g., end of contract performance, COR performance issues). 

 b. The letter terminating a COR’s designation, regardless of cause or timing, must be 

executed by the contracting officer and acknowledged by COR management and the COR. 

Copies of the notice and letter of designation for the successor COR will have the same 

distribution requirements as the COR letter of designation. 

c. When terminating a COR, the contracting officer must conduct terminations in the JAM. 

The termination letter will be made available to all successor CORs in the SPM module. 

Successor CORs will include copies of termination letters of earlier CORs in the COR 

surveillance file if the termination reason is other than contract completion. 

4. JAM AND SPM MODULES. All COR nominations, designations, and terminations will be 

conducted in JAM and be viewable in the SPM module. All other contract surveillance actions 

will be conducted in the SPM module (e.g. submission of COR reports, annual inspection, 

contract surveillance). Both modules are located in the PIEE located at https://piee.eb.mil/pieelanding. 

a. JAM:

 (1) Centralizes all procurement related appointments in one module. 

 (2) Allows the COR nomination and appointment process to be initiated by either the 

COR, the contracting officer or the contract specialist.

 (3) Allows identification of current CORs, COR supervisors, and contracting officers by 

name and by other contact information. 
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 (4) Identifies all training completed by the COR, including basic, annual, and refresher 

training(s). 

 (5) Allows review of the status of all COR nominations.

 (6) Tracks CORs by individual contract numbers, or task or delivery order numbers to 

identify all CORs, where there may be multiple or alternate CORs. 

 (7) Generates and provides digitally signed letters of designation and termination. 

 (8) Identifies contracts with CORs designated, CORs terminated, contracts retained for 

surveillance by the contracting officer, and contracts eligible for a designation, but no assigned 

COR. Allows for recording of these actions. 

 (9) Allows for electronic distribution of signed letters of designation and termination 

 b. SPM Module 

 (1) Provides contracting and COR personnel a web-based portal for all relevant COR 

actions.

 (2) Provides an online COR surveillance file for all COR actions. 

 (3) Provides user access to standardized forms for recurring submission of contract 

surveillance documentation such as COR trip reports, correspondence, status reports, and other 

miscellaneous documents. 

 (4) Allows COR management to review the COR surveillance and monitoring activities 

when evaluating COR performance. 
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ENCLOSURE 5 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CORS 

1. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. The following training requirements are considered the 

minimum training necessary for performance as a COR. DoD Components may add to these 

minimum requirements, as appropriate. Training requirements for the COR are directly related 

to the type of standards for the contract, work or requirement to be performed, and the dollar 

value and complexity of the effort. DAU is responsible for implementing learning assets that

match the COR competencies for Types A, B, and C training as identified in section 4 of this 

enclosure. Detailed descriptions and access to these courses are available from the DAU Catalog 

located at: http://icatalog.dau. edu/. 

a. Minimum required Type A training, as described in Enclosure 5 and Table 2 of Enclosure 

6 of this instruction, consists of: 

 (1) DAU course, “Contracting Officer’s Representative with a Mission Focus,” available 

online. Satisfactory completion of the minimum requirements for Type B or C COR training 

satisfies this requirement for Type A training. 

 (2) DAU course, “COR in a Contingency Environment,” available either in classroom or 

online, is mandatory for CORs supporting contingency operations in a contingency environment. 

 (3) DoD Component provided new entrant and annual ethics training (designated OGE 

Form 450 filers only), and new entrant and refresher CTIP training in accordance with Reference 

(o). More information on CTIP training can be found at https://ctip.defense.gov. 

 (4) Any additional training mandated by the contracting activity or agency, such as

electronic document access (EDA), contract changes, security, etc. 

 (5) Contract-specific orientation provided by the contracting officer.

 b. Minimum required Type B training, as described in Enclosure 5 and Table 3 of Enclosure 

6 of this instruction, in addition to the requirements stated in paragraphs 1a(2), 1a(3), 1a(4), and 

1a(6), consist of:

 (1) DAU course, “Contracting Officer’s Representative Course”, available either in 

classroom or online, or an equivalent course designed to promote the competencies for CORs on 

such requirements. 

 (2) Any additional training mandated by the contracting activity or agency (e.g., EDA, 

contract changes, contract incentives, procurement fraud, safety, security.). 
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c. Type C training, in addition to the requirements stated in paragraph 1b, will include 

supplemental specific training requirements, as described in Table 4 of Enclosure 6 of this 

instruction. 

 d. DoD Component-sponsored or commercially available Type B or C training must be 

determined to be equivalent to DAU courses and learning assets. A list of equivalent courses can 

be identified by checking the DAU Website at https://icatalog.dau.edu/appg.aspx. In order to 

meet the training standard, training providers must provide equivalent training to the DAU 

baseline in order to meet COR standard. The equivalency process is discussed on the DAU 

Website at http://icatalog.dau. edu/learning/equivalency.aspx. 

e. Additional training for CORs required by DoD Components may supplement, but will not 

replace the training requirements provided in paragraphs 1a, 1b and 1c of this enclosure. 

(1) COR nominees participating in pre-award activities, such as acquisition planning and 

contract formation are encouraged to obtain the knowledge necessary to perform in the phases of 

acquisition through completion of DAU continuous learning modules or through other sources 

that provide an overview of the acquisition process, procedures, contract classification, 

performance-based services acquisition, contract types, proper file documentation, contract 

modifications, and contract management.

(2) Selection of courses will be based on specifics of the requirement and preferences of 

COR management and the contracting activity. 

(3) A complete list of DAU continuous learning modules is available in the DAU 

iCatalog located on the DAU Website at http://icatalog.dau.edu/appg.aspx. 

f. The COR is required to perform ancillary duties and responsibilities by the requiring 

activity or COR management. These duties (e.g., CPARS, ensuring contractor reporting in the 

SPOT may or may not be designated by the contracting officer. These ancillary duties or 

responsibilities may require training, and obtaining access to systems (e.g., CPARS, SPOT. The 

COR nominee, or COR, once designated, must work with COR management to ensure that 

required training and access, etc. are obtained before he or she undertakes these responsibilities.

2. AGENCY EXPERIENCE

a. The agency experience for Type A standard is 6 months. 

 b. The agency experience for Type B standard is 12 months. 

c. The agency experience for Type C standard is 12 months. 

 d. Experience for Types A, B, or C standards may be recommended for waiver by COR 

management, but the basis for the waiver must be addressed in the COR nomination package. 
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The contracting officer, at the request of COR management, may waive agency experience

requirements. 

3. RELEVANT TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE. Relevant technical experience for a COR is 

knowledge or practical experience in technical, professional, or administrative fields that is 

commensurate with the responsibilities that will be designated to the COR under a specific 

contract. Relevant technical experience is generally acquired through education, job 

performance, or direct hands-on training (e.g., while in a trainee or intern developmental 

position). 

4. COMPETENCIES. Competencies for a COR may be acquired or developed through a 

combination of formal education, training, and experience.

a. Competencies for Type A standards are:

 (1) Attention to detail. 

 (2) Decision making ability. 

 (3) Flexibility. 

 (4) Oral and written communication skills. 

 (5) Problem solving and reasoning. 

 (6) Self-management and initiative. 

 (7) Teamwork. 

 (8) Business ethics. 

 (9) Effective communication of contract requirements. 

 (10) Effective contract performance management. 

 (11) Effective COR performance. 

 b. Competencies for Types B and C standards include the Type A competencies in paragraph 

4a of this enclosure, as well as: 

 (1) Influencing and persuasive interpersonal skills. 

 (2) Planning and evaluating. 
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 (3) Defining government requirements. 

 (4) Understanding and knowledge of contract type. 

 (5) Effective analytic skills. 

 (6) Project management. 

 (7) Strategic planning. 

 (8) Understanding the marketplace. 

5. REFRESHER TRAINING. Refresher training requirements are considered the minimum

necessary for continued performance as a COR. Refresher training is in addition to the training 

requirements in paragraph 1 above. DoD Components and contracting activities have the 

authority to require additional or more frequent refresher training.

a. Refresher training for standard Type A CORs, in addition to training mandated by the 

contracting activity, includes: 

 (1) Mandatory annual activity provided ethics training (designated OGE Form 450 filers 

only). 

(2) “CTIP” training is required every 3 years in accordance with Reference (o). 

 (3) A minimum of 8 hours of COR-specific training required every 3 years, or before 

assuming COR responsibility, if the individual has not performed COR responsibilities within 

the previous 24 months. Contracting offices will determine what the COR-specific refresher 

training course requirements should be commensurate with the contract work being performed. 

 b. Refresher training for standard Types B and C CORs, in addition to training mandated by 

the activity, includes: 

 (1) Mandatory annual activity provided ethics training (designated OGE Form 450 filers 

only). 

(2) “CTIP” training is required every 3 years in accordance with Reference (o). 

 (3) A minimum of 16 hours of COR-specific training required every 3 years, or before 

assuming COR responsibility if the individual has not performed COR responsibilities within the 

previous 24 months. Contracting offices will determine what the COR-specific refresher training 

course requirements should be commensurate with the contract work being performed. 

 c. A current certificate of training completion. 
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6. WAIVER OF TRAINING. The contracting officer, at the request of COR management and 

requiring activity, may waive some COR training requirements and designate COR 

responsibilities when necessary for continuation of services. However, COR management is 

responsible for ensuring that any COR performing under such waiver completes all required 

training. New entrant and annual ethics training consistent with subpart G of part 2638 of 

Reference (h) cannot be waived. New entrant and CTIP training, in accordance with Reference 

(o), cannot be waived. 

a. Standard Type A CORs must complete training within 21 days of COR designation, 

unless another specific timeframe is agreed to by the contracting officer. Standard Types B and 

C CORs must complete training within 35 days of COR designation, unless another specific 

timeframe is agreed to by the contracting officer. 

b. Verification of the training completion must occur within 7 days after completing training. 

c. Failure to complete and document the required training within the times prescribed above 

may result in termination of COR designation. 
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ENCLOSURE 6 

EXAMPLES OF COR RESPONSIBILITIES AND COR CERTIFICATION 

REQUIREMENTS

Examples of responsibilities that might be designated to a COR are listed in Table 1 in this 

enclosure. Minimum requirements for Types A, B, and C training are described in Tables 2, 3, 

and 4, respectively. 

Table 1. Examples of COR Responsibilities

1. Complete the OGE Form 450 (if designated as a filer by the contracting officer) and other DoD Componentdirected documentation. The contracting officer will accept the certification of the COR management stating 

that there are no personal conflicts of interest unless DoD Component procedures require additional 

documentation.

2. Participate, as appropriate, in pre-award requirements definition, acquisition planning, and contract formation 

processes (i.e. market research, independent government estimate, justification and approval documentation). 

3. Establish and maintain a COR surveillance file in the SPM module and in accordance with agency or DoD 

Component procedures. The COR file will, at a minimum and as applicable based on responsibilities

designated, include copies of: 

 (a) COR letter of designation from the contracting officer. 

 (b) Signed contract and modifications (unless available in EDA). 

 (c) Quality assurance surveillance plan or other performance surveillance plan. 

 (d) Written communications with the contractor and the contracting officer. 

 (e) Trip reports. 

 (f) Documentation of telephone conversations and meetings with the contractor and the contracting officer. 

 (g) Surveillance documents. 

 (h) Invoice and payment documentation (unless avalable in WAWF). 

 (i) Documentation required to record, evaluate, and report contractor’s performance.

4. Ensure the necessary requirements are met for contractor background checks and all other required security 

clearances (if applicable).

5. Maintain liaison and direct communications with the contractor, contracting officer, COR management and 

other authorized representatives related to the contract or project. 

6. Participate in meetings and discussions as requested by the contracting officer (e.g. post-award orientation 

conferences, negotiations).

7. Assure the changes in work under a contract are not implemented before written authorization or a contract 

modification is issued by the contracting officer.

8. If authorized, recommend changes in scope or technical provisions of the contract, order, or agreement with 

written justification for the proposed action to the contracting officer. 

9. Provide clarification of technical requirements to the contractor, as necessary, without making changes or 

agreeing to make changes to the contract, task or delivery order, or agreement.

10. Coordinate with the contractor and contracting officer to resolve issues and monitor corrective actions.

11. Do not direct or supervise contractor employees, interfere with the manner in which the contractor assigns 

work, or interfere with the contractor’s relations with organized labor.

12. Assist the contracting officer with close-out of contracts, orders, or agreements, especially with the orderly 

transition or completion of work as contractor work effort is phased out. 
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Table 1. Examples of COR Responsibilities, Continued 

13. Ensure COR surveillance files are available to the contracting officer during contract close-out.

14. Serve as the central point of contact to assure that any government obligations stated in the solicitation are 

completed (e.g., government furnished property is in place, submittals are reviewed for approval, plans or 

procedures required by the performance work statement are obtained). 

15. If COR designation is terminated before the contract is completed, ensure that all relevant information for 

the contract is turned over to the new COR, once he or she is designated. 

16. Refer any request from a contractor for the release of information to the contracting officer.

17. Review contractor quality control plans and recommend changes or acceptance to the contracting officer.

18. Ensure contractors comply with procedures on making restrictive markings on data, if applicable.

19. Recognize and report organizational conflicts of interest to the contracting officer.

20. Monitor contractor compliance with safety (i.e., Occupational Safety & Health Administration), security, 

labor (i.e., 351-357 of Title 41, United States Code, also known as “Service Contract Act of 1965” (Reference 

(m)), and environmental law and regulatory requirements, as applicable.

21. Ensure all contractors that were Sensitive Compartmented Information indoctrinated are debriefed and 

reported to the cognizant security office.

22. Assist the contracting officer in negotiating any proposed increases or decreases in scope of work by 

providing independent cost estimates and technical evaluations on request.

23. Monitor contractor performance and ensure that the contractor performs the requirements of the contract or 

order or agreement in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications. This includes ensuring that all 

required items, documentation, data, and reports are properly and timely submitted as contractually required.

24. For a performance-based services contract, order, or agreement, perform on-site surveillance in accordance 

with the QASP or performance assessment plan, as applicable. Assure technical proficiency and compliance 

with the technical provisions of the contract or order or agreement by reviewing and verifying the performance 

of work accomplished by the contractor.

25. Notify the contractor of deficiencies observed during surveillance (e.g., anticipated performance failures, 

late deliveries, non-conforming work, security violations, hazardous working conditions, improper use of 

government material) and recommend appropriate action to the contracting officer to effect correction, as 

applicable.

26. Review contractor requests for travel, overtime, government assets, or subcontracting, in a timely manner, 

and forward to the contracting officer for approval.

27. Review and analyze the contractor’s deliverables, service, and management reports.

28. Monitor and track contract obligations and expenditures per accounting classification reference number and 

contract line item numbers for each contract or order or agreement.

29. Monitor fund limitations and expenditures on cost reimbursement, time and materials (T&M) and laborhour (LH) contracts. Only the contracting officer can make changes to the contract or order or agreement.

30. Under T&M and LH contracts, assure that the contractor uses the appropriate level of qualified personnel as 

specified in the contract, order, or agreement.

31. Provide input on contractor performance to the award fee board.

32. Ensure contracting officer is notified by the contractor of any anticipated cost overruns or under runs for 

cost reimbursement contracts. 

33. Inspect deliverables and monitor services for conformance with terms and conditions. Accept or reject the 

deliverables or services. Ensure compliance and completion by the contractor of all required operations, 

including the preparation of the DD Forms 250 (250-1) “Material Inspection and Receiving Reports,” or 

equivalent, which will be authenticated and certified by the COR that the services and supplies have been 

received and are acceptable. Process inspection report through the WAWF as supporting documentation for 

payment.
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Table 1. Examples of COR Responsibilities, Continued 

34. Document inspections performed including disposition of the results.

35. Report to the contracting officer on contract completion or final delivery.

36. Adhere to the invoice and payment clause in the contract.

37. Review interim invoices (e.g. cost reimbursement, T&M and LH contracts) to make sure charges are 

commensurate with observed performance (i.e., travel was necessary and actually occurred, labor hours charged 

are commensurate with level of work performed). Pursuant to section 242.803(b) of Reference (f), the contract 

auditor (Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA)) is the authorized representative of the contracting officer for 

approving interim vouchers for payment under DoD cost-reimbursement, T&M and LH contracts. Coordinate 

issues of cost with DCAA (through contracting officer) who is authorized to approve these invoices.

38. Report any discrepancies in invoices to the contracting officer and provide documentation to support the 

representation.

39. Review and approve invoices for fixed-price deliverables.

40. Process payment requests in a timely manner in accordance with chapter 39 of Title 31, United States Code, 

also known as “The Prompt Payment Act” (Reference (n)).

41. Coordinate and provide any government-owned (or leased) assets or use of U.S. Government space to the 

contractor as required by the contract.

42. Monitor the control and disposition of any government-furnished assets. Ensure the completion of all 

required documentation for the acceptance, use, and return of government-furnished assets, including unique 

identification tracking.

43. Provide to the contracting officer an assessment of any loss, damage, or destruction of U.S. Government 

property.

44. Perform joint equipment inventories with the contractor at award, annually, and at close-out.

45. Monitor contractor’s performance measurement program, ensuring compliance with earned value 

management and cost performance reporting.

46. Evaluate, for adequacy, the contractor’s engineering efforts and management systems that relate to design, 

development, production, engineering changes, subcontractors, tests, management of engineering resources, 

reliability and maintainability, data control systems, configuration management, and independent research and 

development. Evaluation of configuration management processes is the duty of the cognizant configuration 

manager. 

47. Conduct reviews of value engineering change proposals.

48. Discuss and coordinate with the contractor’s representatives concerning clarification of drawings, 

specifications and performance parameters.

49. Understand local culture, operating environment, and how it may affect behavior, perspective and the 

ability to function as a COR.

50. Be aware of and report potential instances of bribery, kickbacks, and other illegal acts to the contracting 

officer and the appropriate investigative office.

51. Understand rules of engagement within deployed area of responsibility.

52. Determine the items to be included (i.e., government equipment and facilities) in the letters of authorization 

for contracting officer approval. 

53. Develop and update a continuity file for turnover to a new COR. 

54. Consult with the local installation safety office on contractor’s operation or activity as needed

55. Participate in any specialized contingency training before or during mobilization.

56. Ensure the contractor complies with all notification requirements and safety procedures at the occurrence of 

a hazardous event.

57. For any hazardous event, immediately notify the appropriate officials, and then notify the contracting 

officer. 
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Table 1. Examples of COR Responsibilities, Continued 

58. Complete all required hazardous material handling training.

59. Document contractor performance in the CPARS.

60. Maintain surveillance over contractor compliance with CTIP requirements. 
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Table 2. DoD Standard for Certification of CORs – Type A

NATURE OF TYPE A: WORK 

OR REQUIREMENT

REQUIRED COMPETENCY 

TOPICS

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING 

REQUIREMENTS

Fixed-price contracts without 

incentives and low performance risk.

Attributes of such requirements might 

include:

• Lack of technical or 

administrative complexity

• No identifiable risk factors

• Limited requirement for technical 

expertise

• Low likelihood of modification

• Effort is a follow-on to an 

existing contract

COR responsibilities are generally 

limited to minimal technical and

administrative contract surveillance.

General: 

• Attention to detail

• Decision making

• Flexibility

• Oral and written communication

• Problem solving and reasoning

• Self-management and initiative

• Teamwork

Technical: 

• Business ethics

• Effective communication of 

contract requirements

• Effective contract performance 

management

• Effective COR performance

On completion of mandatory training, the COR should 

be able to perform at least these competencies in a 

manner consistent with the nature of Type A work or 

requirements:

• Assist in acquisition planning.

• Assist in contract award process.

• Establish and maintain a COR file with all 

required documentation.

• Identify and prevent unethical conduct and 

instances of fraud, waste and abuse.

• Perform technical and administrative contract 

surveillance and reporting responsibilities in 

accordance with the letter of designation and 

surveillance plan.

• Recommend contract changes when necessary 

and monitor contract performance as modified.

• Monitor contract expenditures and payments.

• Monitor contract schedule compliance.

• Perform liaison responsibilities between the 

contracting officer, the requiring activity, and the 

contractor for management of the contract.

• Inspect and accept or reject deliverables during 

contract performance and at close-out in 

conformance with contract terms and conditions.

• Monitor the control and disposition of U.S. 

Government furnished assets.

• Perform surveillance in a contingency 

environment, when applicable.

Experience: 

• Agency experience: Minimum of 6 months 

unless waived. The waiver must be

addressed in the nomination.

• Relevant technical experience: As 

determined by the requiring activity and 

COR Management for the contracting 

officer’s consideration. 

• General competencies: As determined by 

the nominating supervisor for the 

contracting officer’s consideration. 

Training: 

• DAU course, “Contracting Officer’s 

Representative with a Mission Focus” 

(online). 

• DAU course, “COR in a Contingency 

Environment,” when applicable (classroom 

or online). 

• DoD Component provided new entrant and 

annual ethics (designated OGE Form 450 

filers only) & CTIP training. 

• Additional training mandated by the 

contracting activity or agency (e.g., safety, 

security.). 

Refresher Training:

• Minimum of 8 hours COR specific training:

o Every 3 years, OR 

o Before assuming COR responsibilities, 

if the individual has not served as a 

COR within the previous 24 months.

• Annual DoD Component provided ethics 

(designated OGE Form 450 filers only.

• CTIP training every 3 years

• Any additional training mandated by the 

contracting activity or agency.
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Table 3. DoD Standard for Certification of CORs – Type B

NATURE OF TYPE B: WORK 

OR REQUIREMENT

REQUIRED COMPETENCY 

TOPICS

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING 

REQUIREMENTS

Fixed-price contracts with incentives; 

fixed-price contracts with other than 

low performance risk; and other than 

fixed-price contracts. This includes 

everything other than Types A and C.

Attributes of such requirements might 

include:

• Contract complexity or 

performance risk

• Effort will be performed in 

multiple regions or remote 

geographic locations

• The need for increased 

surveillance

• Magnitude of the requirement

• The contract contains incentive 

arrangements or cost sharing 

provisions

• The contract is cost-type of T&M 

or LH type, or FP LOE

COR responsibilities are of increased 

complexity.

General: 

• Attention to detail

• Decision making

• Flexibility

• Influencing and persuasive 

interpersonal skills

• Oral and written communication

• Planning and evaluating

• Problem solving

• Reasoning

• Self-management and initiative

• Teamwork

Technical: 

• Business ethics

• Defining government 

requirements

• Understanding and knowledge of 

contract type

• Effective analytic skills

• Effective communication of 

contract requirements

• Effective contract performance 

management

• Effective COR performance

• Project management

• Strategic planning

• Understanding the marketplace

On completion of mandatory training, the COR should 

be able to perform at least these competencies in a 

manner consistent with the nature of Type B work or 

requirements:

• Assist in acquisition planning.

• Assist in contract award process.

• Establish and maintain COR file with all required 

documentation.

• Identify and prevent unethical conduct and 

instances of fraud, waste and abuse.

• Review technical deliverables and ensure 

compliance with Statement of Work or Statement 

of Objectives (e.g., perform technical monitoring 

and reporting in accordance with a quality 

assurance surveillance plan or other quality 

surveillance plan). 

• Perform administrative monitoring and reporting 

responsibilities (e.g., handle security issues, 

attend meetings.).

• Recommend contract changes when necessary 

and monitor contract performance as modified.

• Monitor contract expenditures and payments.

• Monitor contract schedule compliance.

• Perform liaison responsibilities between the 

contracting officer and the contractor for 

management of the contract.

• Inspect, and accept or reject deliverables during 

contract performance and at close-out in 

conformance with contract terms and conditions.

• Review and validate that contractor payment 

requests are commensurate with performance. 

• Monitor control and disposition of U.S 

Government furnished assets. 

• Perform surveillance in a contingency 

environment, when applicable. 

Experience: 

• Agency experience: Minimum of 12 months 

unless waived. The waiver must be

addressed in the nomination package.

• Relevant technical experience: As 

determined by the requiring activity or COR 

management for the contracting officer’s 

consideration. 

• General competencies: As determined by the 

nominating supervisor for the contracting 

officer’s consideration. 

Training: 

• DAU course, “Contracting Officer’s 

Representative” (classroom or on-line) or 

ALU-CL or equivalent course. 

• DAU course, “COR in a Contingency 

Environment,” when applicable (classroom 

or online). 

• DoD Component provided new entrant and 

annual ethics (designated OGE Form 450 

filers only) & CTIP training.

• Additional training mandated by the 

contracting activity or agency (e.g., safety, 

security.). 

Refresher Training:

• Minimum of 16 hours COR specific training:

o Every 3 years, OR 

o Before assuming COR responsibilities, if 

the individual has not served as a COR 

within the previous 24 months.

• Annual DoD Component provided ethics 

(designated OGE Form 450 filers only) CTIP 

training every 3 years

• CTIP training every 3 years

• Any additional training mandated by the 

contracting activity or agency.
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Table 4. DoD Standard for Certification of CORs – Type C 

NATURE OF TYPE C: WORK 

OR REQUIREMENT

REQUIRED COMPETENCY 

TOPICS

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING 

REQUIREMENTS

Unique contract requirements that 

necessitate the COR have a higher 

education or specialized training 

beyond the Type B requirements.

Attributes of such requirements might 

include: 

• Environmental remediation

• Major weapons systems

• Medical or dental or veterinarian 

services, etc.

COR responsibilities are of increased 

complexity.

General: 

• Attention to detail

• Decision making

• Flexibility

• Influencing and persuasive 

Interpersonal skills

• Oral and written communication

• Planning and evaluating

• Problem solving

• Reasoning

• Self-management and initiative

• Teamwork

Technical: 

• Business ethics

• Defining government 

requirements

• Understanding and knowledge of 

contract type

• Effective analytic skills

• Effective communication of 

contract requirements

• Effective contract performance 

management

• Effective COR performance

• Project management

• Strategic planning

• Understanding the marketplace

On completion of mandatory training, COR should be 

able to perform at least these competencies in a 

manner consistent with the nature of Type C work or 

requirements:

• Assist in acquisition planning.

• Assist in contract award process.

• Establish and maintain COR file with all required 

documentation.

• Identify and prevent unethical conduct and 

instances of fraud, waste and abuse.

• Review technical deliverables and ensure 

compliance with Statement of Work or Statement 

of Objectives (e.g., perform technical monitoring 

and reporting in accordance with a quality 

assurance surveillance plan or other quality 

surveillance plan).

• Perform administrative monitoring and reporting 

responsibilities (e.g., handle security issues, 

attend meeting.). 

• Recommend contract changes when necessary 

and monitor contract performance as modified.

• Monitor contract expenditures.

• Monitor contract schedule compliance.

• Perform liaison responsibilities between the 

contracting officer and the contractor for 

management of the contract.

• Inspect, accept or reject deliverables during 

contract performance and at close-out in 

conformance with contract terms and conditions.

• Review and validate that contractor payment 

requests are commensurate with performance. 

• Monitor and control disposition of government 

furnished assets. 

• Perform surveillance in a contingency 

environment, when applicable. 

• Other specific functions consistent with the 

objectives of the activity’s mandatory specialized 

or technical training.

Experience: 

• Agency experience: Minimum of 12 months 

unless waived. The waiver must be 

addressed in nomination package.

• Relevant technical experience: As 

determined by the requiring activity or COR 

management for the contracting officer’s 

consideration.

• General competencies: As determined by the 

nominating supervisor for the contracting 

officer’s consideration.

Training:

• DAU course, “Contracting Officer’s 

Representative” (classroom or on-line) or 

ALU-CL or equivalent course.

• DAU course “COR in a Contingency 

Environment,” when applicable (classroom 

or online).

• DoD Component provided new entrant and 

annual ethics (designated OGE Form 450 

filers only) & CTIP training. 

• Additional training mandated by the 

contracting activity or agency (e.g., safety, 

security.).

Refresher Training: 

• Minimum of 16 hours COR specific training:

o Every 3 years, OR 

o Before assuming COR responsibilities, if 

the individual has not served as a COR 

within the previous 24 months.

• Annual DoD Component provided ethics 

(designated OGE Form 450 filers only

• CTIP training every 3 years

• Any additional training mandated by the 

contracting activity or agency.

• Any necessary for maintenance of license or 

certification, etc.
DoDI 5000.72, March 26, 2015 

 

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31

GLOSSARY

PART I. ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

CAO contract administration office

COR contracting officer’s representative

CPARS contractor performance assessment reporting system

CTIP combating trafficking in persons 

DAO departmental accountable official

DAU Defense Acquisition University 

DAWIA Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act

DCAA Defense Contract Audit Agency 

DFARS Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 

DoDI DoD instruction 

EDA electronic document access

JAM joint appointment module

LH labor-hour contract 

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

OGE Office of Government Ethics 

PIEE procurement integrated enterprise environment

SPOT synchronized pre-deployment and operational tracker 

SPM surveillance and performance monitoring 

T&M time and materials contract

WAWF wide area work flow 
DoDI 5000.72, March 26, 2015

Change 2, 11/06/2020 GLOSSARY

32

PART II. DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise noted, these terms and their definitions are for the purposes of this instruction.

acquisition. Defined in subpart 2.101 of Reference (e). 

agency. Defined in subpart 202.101 of Reference (f).

agency experience. Experience acquired as a DoD or non-DoD employee (including contractor 

experience) or member of the Military Services that provides insight into DoD’s organizational 

structure, policies, and procedures that are relevant to performance of COR responsibilities.

CAO. Defined in subpart 2.101 of Reference (e).

certifying official. Defined in section 2773a of chapter 165 of Reference (l).

competencies. Observable, measurable patterns of skills, knowledge, abilities, behaviors, and 

other characteristics that an individual needs to perform a specific function. Competencies may 

be acquired or developed through a combination of formal education, training, and experience.

contract. Defined in subpart 2.101 of Reference (e).

contracting activity. Defined in subpart 2.101 of Reference (e) and subpart 202.101 of 

Reference (f).

contracting office. Defined in subpart 2.101 of Reference (e).

contracting officer. Defined in subpart 2.101 of Reference (e).

contingency operation. Defined in subpart 2.101 of Reference (e).

COR. Defined in subpart 202.101 of Reference (f). Any individual delegated responsibilities 

pursuant to subpart 1.602-2 of Reference (e), regardless of local terminology, must be certified in 

accordance with this instruction. For example, local terminology can be COR, contracting 

officer’s technical representative, technical point of contact, technical representative, alternate 

COR, administrative COR, assistant COR, line item manager, task order manager, quality 

assurance personnel, quality assurance evaluator, or COR management.

COR certification. The designation of a COR for a specific contract via letter of designation that 

constitutes certification for performance of COR responsibilities under that specific contract.

COR experience. Earlier performance of technical and administrative responsibilities designated 

by a contracting officer.

COR management. The specific chain of command within the requiring activity responsible for 

supervision and management of the COR. 
DoDI 5000.72, March 26, 2015

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33

COR nominee. An individual identified by the requiring activity and accepted by the contracting 

officer as having met the qualification requirements (training, or a training plan if not yet trained, 

agency experience, relevant technical experience, and general competencies) to perform the 

COR responsibilities to be designated by a contracting officer in accordance with subpart 1.602-

2 of Reference (e).

COR-specific training. Training that is relevant to performance of COR responsibilities to be 

designated by a contracting officer. 

DAWIA certification. The procedure through which a Military Service or DoD Component 

determines that an employee meets the education, training, and experience standards required for 

a career level in any acquisition, technology, and logistics career field. 

departmental accountable official. Defined in section 2773a of chapter 165 of Reference (l) and 

the DoD 7000.14-R, DoD Financial Management Regulation, volume 5, Disbursing Policy.

letter of designation. Written notification from the contracting officer to the COR specifying the 

extent of the COR’s authority to act on behalf of the contracting officer, identifying the 

limitations on the COR’s authority, specifying the period covered by the designation, stating the 

authority is not re-delegable, and stating that the COR may be personally liable for unauthorized 

acts. Terms previously used included letter of delegation, letter of appointment, and letter of 

assignment.

NATO/Coalition Partners. Countries that are members of NATO or part of a military coalition 

that includes the United States that conduct military operations in support of a common 

objective. The NATO is an Alliance that consists of 28 independent member countries: Albania, 

Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, 

Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, 

Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

performance risk. Risk associated with a contractor’s ability to perform a contract in a manner 

consistent with the cost, technical, and schedule requirements of the contract. Performance risk 

varies depending on the nature of the work or requirement being performed, mission needs of the 

activity, and other factors that have bearing on the contractor’s performance. Contracting 

officers should consider performance risk when determining the need for COR resources and the 

qualifications required of the COR based upon the type of work or requirement as referenced in

Enclosure 5 of this instruction.

relevant technical experience. Knowledge or practical experience in technical, professional, or 

administrative fields that is commensurate with the responsibilities that will be designated to the 

COR under a specific contract. Relevant technical experience is generally acquired through 

education, job performance, or direct hands-on training (e.g., while in a trainee or intern 

developmental position).

requiring activity. The organization providing either the technical oversight of the requirement 

or receiving the services. When there is a transfer of funding from one agency to another agency 

(e.g., Military Interdepartmental Procurement Request), unless otherwise stipulated, the requiring 

activity is that activity providing technical oversight or receiving the services.