What is the difference between a Contracting Officer and a Contracting Officer's Representative?

The Contracting Officer (CO) manages the legal and contractual aspects of an award, while the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) oversees the technical performance and day-to-day execution of the work. The CO is the only person authorized to modify the terms and conditions of a federal contract. Any changes to the scope, price, or period of performance must go through the CO, as outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The COR, on the other hand, acts as the CO's eyes and ears, ensuring the contractor meets the technical requirements of the contract. They monitor progress, inspect deliverables, and verify invoices. For issues like a change in the work schedule or an unforeseen site condition, you would typically work with the COR. If that issue requires a change to the contract itself, such as an increase in cost or an extension of time, the COR would communicate with the CO to initiate a contract modification. For state and local government contracts, these roles are similar but are defined by state procurement codes and the specific terms in the solicitation.