Authority of Government Representatives

Generally, only a Contracting Officer (“CO”) may enter into, administer, modify, or terminate contracts and CO’s are only allowed to bind the government within the limits of their authority.

CO’s may authorize selected individuals (“COR’s”) to perform certain functions relating to contracts but these individuals generally may not enter into contracts or modify contracts on behalf of the government.

Generally, the government is bound only by acts of government agents acting within the scope of their authority so the acts of unauthorized government agents or of agents who exceed their contracting authority do not bind the government.

Generally it is the contractor’s obligation to seek out and determine the level of authority of the government representative.