The agency head for procurement matters is the Chief Financial Officer/Assistant Secretary for Administration (CFO/ASA), unless prohibited by statute. The authority for agency head for procurement matters is delegated to the Procurement Executive as the authority to establish lines of contracting authority within DOC and to implement policies and procedures related to the acquisition process. Specific contracting authorities are set forth in CAM 1301.70.

In accordance with CAM 1301.70, only individuals who have been certified as contracting officers through issuance of a Certificate of Appointment by the Senior Bureau Procurement Official may exercise the authority of DOC contracting officers. In addition to the authority to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts, contracting officers have been delegated certain functions as set out in appendix A to CAM 1301.70.

Insert clause 1352.201-70, Contracting Officer's Authority, in all solicitations and contracts.

(a) Insert clause 1352.201-71, Ratification Release, in a contract document under which payment is made for unauthorized commitments after a ratification has been processed.

(b)(1) Unauthorized commitments occur when the Department accepts goods or services in the absence of an enforceable contract entered into by an authorized official. It is the policy of DOC that all acquisitions are to be made only by Government officials having authority to make such acquisitions. Acquisitions made by other than authorized personnel are contrary to Departmental policy and the Department is not bound by any formal or informal type of agreement or contractual commitment which is made by persons who are not delegated contracting authority. Payment for goods or services accepted in the absence of an authorized commitment may be made only through the ratification process. Unauthorized commitments may be considered matters of serious misconduct and may subject the responsible employees to appropriate disciplinary actions.

(2) The delegation of the ratification authority is set forth in CAM 1301.70. All requests for ratification must fully explain the circumstances that gave rise to the unauthorized commitment and detail, if appropriate, any disciplinary action taken with respect to any responsible employee. Ratifications may be approved only if all criteria in FAR 1.602-3 have been met.

Ratifications may not be approved unless the concurrence of Procurement Counsel is obtained.

The Department's procurement career management program and system for the selection, appointment, and termination of appointment of contracting officers are described in CAM 1301.6.

In addition to the criteria set forth in FAR 1.603-2, selection of contracting officers shall be based upon Section 4 of CAM 1301.6.

In addition to the criteria set forth in FAR 1.603-3, appointment of contracting officers shall be based upon Section 4 of CAM 1301.6.

In addition to the criteria set forth in FAR 1.603-4, termination of contracting officers shall be based upon Section 4 of CAM 1301.6.

The Department's Contracting Officer's Representative certification program for the nomination, appointment and cancellation of CORs is described in CAM 1301.670.

Insert clause 1352.201-72, Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), in all solicitations and contracts where a COR will be appointed.

The Department's Program and Project Manager certification program for the assignment and certification of Program and Project Managers is described in CAM 1301.671.