FAR Part 42 Questions

Question 1

In 2021, Region 4 had PMR related to Contract Administration and Surveillance. As you know, effective contract administration and management is essential to ensure the client receives the goods/services in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Every acquisition plan and HCA briefing contains a section devoted to “Contract Administration.”

What section of the FAR discusses Contract Administration? In meeting this requirement, who is the key partner (from the client organization) to the SCO in meeting these responsibilities? Provide and discuss at three (3) things that fall under this key partner’s scope of responsibilities

Answer 1

FAR 42 covers Contract Administration

Specific examples of Contract Administration commonly found in our Acq Plans and HCA Briefings found in FAR 42.302(a).
As a SCO, you formally appoint (in writing) a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) that provides technical direction and guidance as necessary with respect to the performance of work under the contract/task order. Here is the list of items typically under the scope of COR responsibilities (SCO candidate should provide and discuss three (3) of them):

a) During pre-award activities, assist in requirements development, coordinate transfer of funds, obtain any required internal approvals and evaluation of quotes/proposals;
b) Reviewing the contract/task order, including associated documents, and become familiar with events/milestones.
c) Coordinating actions relating to funding and changes in scope of work;
d) Monitoring the contractor’s performance of the technical requirements of the contract in accordance with the surveillance activity checklist to assure that performance is strictly within the scope of the contract. The COR shall perform surveillance in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) and shall complete surveillance logs as required by the QASP. The COR shall provide copies of the surveillance logs to the contracting officer as requested and shall upload copies of the surveillance logs into ITSS at least quarterly;
e) Confirming all significant technical instructions to the contractor;
f) Inspecting reports and deliverables to ensure compliance with contract/task order requirements. Validation of receipt of deliverables, and the approved acceptance for payment or rejection of valid order deliverables, shall be accomplished in GSA’s Information Technology Solutions Shop (ITSS) within 7 days of the Contractor’s submission;