Procuring Contracting Officer(PCO)
The contracting officer responsible for awarding a new contract, as distinguished from the administrative contracting officer who manages it afterward.
Overview
The Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) is the government official with authority to conduct the procurement and award a new contract. The PCO manages the solicitation, evaluates proposals, conducts discussions, and signs the award. Once the contract is awarded, an Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) typically assumes responsibility for administration.
Why It Matters in GovCon
The PCO is your primary point of contact throughout the source selection process. All formal communications — questions, proposal submissions, debriefing requests — go through the PCO. Understanding the PCO's role helps you navigate the procurement correctly and avoid communicating with unauthorized personnel.
Key Details
- Award Authority: Only the PCO can bind the government to a contract.
- Pre-Award: Handles solicitations, amendments, discussions, and source selection.
- Handoff: Upon award, the ACO takes over for administration, modifications, and closeout.
- Small Procurements: For smaller buys, the same person may serve as both PCO and ACO.
- Warrant: PCOs hold a contracting warrant specifying their dollar authority limits.
Related Terms
- Contracting Officer (CO)
- Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO)
- Source Selection Authority (SSA)
- Contract Award
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