Administrative Contracting Officer(ACO)
An ACO manages day-to-day administration of awarded contracts, including performance surveillance, financial controls, and security compliance.
Overview
The Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) is a government official delegated authority to manage the post-award administration of contracts. While the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) handles the award itself, the ACO takes over ongoing responsibilities such as approving invoices, processing modifications, monitoring contractor performance, and ensuring compliance with contract terms and applicable regulations.
Why It Matters in GovCon
Contractors interact with the ACO more frequently than any other government official during contract execution. Understanding the ACO's authority and limitations helps contractors resolve issues efficiently, submit proper requests, and maintain strong working relationships throughout the period of performance.
Key Details
- Delegation: ACOs receive a formal delegation letter from the PCO specifying the scope of their administrative authority.
- Functions: Common duties include processing invoices, negotiating forward pricing rates, approving purchasing systems, and managing property administration.
- Location: ACOs are often housed at DCMA or the cognizant contract administration office (CAO).
- Limitations: ACOs cannot change scope, extend periods of performance, or increase contract value without PCO authorization.
- Multiple Contracts: A single ACO may administer dozens of contracts across multiple contractors.
Related Terms
- Contracting Officer (CO)
- Contract Administration Office (CAO)
- Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
- Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO)
More Security Terms
The government official with the authority to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts on behalf of the U.S. government.
A government employee designated by the contracting officer to monitor contractor performance and serve as the technical point of contact.
Federal law establishing a framework for securing federal information systems and protecting government data.
A government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment and authorization for cloud services.
A sensitivity designation for unclassified information that requires protection from unauthorized disclosure.
Policies and technologies that control who can access systems and data and what they can do.
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