ADDITIONAL WARRANT REQUIREMENTs for both domestic and overseas personnel
(CT:AQM-18; 11-09-2023)
(Office of Origin: A/OPE)
14 FAH-3 H-351 REQUESTING WARRANTS
(CT:AQM-18; 11-09-2023)
Department personnel must request new or revised contracting officer warrants through the A/OPE CO Global Warrant System. All information requested by the system must be updated before A/OPE may issue a new or revised warrant. The A/OPE CO Global Warrant System may be accessed from the OPE Portal in ServiceNow.
14 FAH-3 H-352 EXPIRATION OR REVOCATION OF WARRANTS
14 FAH-3 H-352.1 Departure from Duty
(CT:AQM-18; 11-09-2023)
Heads of the Contracting Activities (HCAs) and posts abroad must notify the CO warrant program manager (COWarrants@state.gov), in writing, when a contracting officer resigns; transfers to another office or agency; retires; is no longer serving as a contracting officer; or is terminated.
14 FAH-3 H-352.2 Job Performance
(CT:AQM-18; 11-09-2023)
The Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) may terminate a contracting officer appointment at any time if the contracting officer has failed to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or policy in the performance of his or her duties. Heads of the HCA, including posts abroad, provide written notification to the senior procurement executive whenever a contracting officer is disciplined for malfeasance or incompetence.
14 FAH-3 H-353 OBO PROJECT DIRECTORS/Construction Managers
(CT:AQM-18; 11-09-2023)
a. Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) project directors for construction contracts abroad may be granted limited contracting officer authority by the Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE). The Office of Acquisition Management (A/OPEAQM) must submit request(s) for such appointment(s), including a justification for the request and a qualifications statement of the individual being recommended, to A/OPE. As a minimum, such individuals must have completed the following:
(1) Achieve and maintain level III certification as a contracting officer’s representative (COR);
(2) Achieve and maintain senior level FAC P/PM certification;
(3) Complete a minimum of 40 hours training in the following disciplines: construction claims management, construction-cost analysis, contracting for program managers, administration of architect-engineering contracts, or similar commercial offerings;
(4) Obtain maintenance training of the required certifications addressing the disciplines outlined in paragraph (3) above; and
(5) Possess a minimum of three years project management experience on FAR-based construction contracts.
b. This authority is subject to the following limitations:
(1) The warrant is contract-specific and applicable only to the contract identified in the warrant;
(2) Only direct-hire U.S. Foreign Service personnel may be granted contracting officer authority;
(3) The warrant will provide limited authority under one of the following circumstances:
(a) For contracts up to $150 million, Issue change orders and contract modifications not to exceed $25,000 per contract action up to$250,000 for a 12-month period, subject to the availability of funds; or
(b) For contracts exceeding $150 million, issue change orders and contract modifications not to exceed $100,000 per contract action up to $500,000 for a 12-month period;
(4) The appointed individual must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including the requirement to report contract modifications to the contracting officer who signed the contract for incorporation into the State/Federal procurement database system;
(5) The warrant is valid only as long as the individual is assigned as project director/construction manager to the specific contract identified;
(6) The warrant is valid only at the project site, not in the United States;
(7) The warrant does not include authority to issue decisions under the Disputes clause;
(8) The warrant does not include authority to extend the contract’s period of performance or terminate the contract; and
(9) The authority granted cannot be re-delegated.
14 FAH-3 H-354 NONFEDERAL EMPLOYEES
(CT:AQM-15; 01-30-2018)
Only U.S. Government direct-hire employees shall be appointed as contracting officers. Personal services contractors and nonpersonal services contractors are not eligible for appointment as Department of State contracting officers. Foreign Service nationals and third-country nationals can be granted limited warrant authority per 14 FAH-3 H-342.1, Locally Employed Staff Name Warrants.
14 FAH-3 H-355 THROUGH H-359 UNASSIGNED