NAVY SCHOOL MANAGEMENT MANUAL

SECTION 4 - CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
Navy contracts personnel to perform services when it is cost
effective or when cutbacks in manpower authorizations make
contracting for services a necessity. In the Navy training
environment, contractor personnel may teach courses, develop
curricula, maintain government equipment, including training
devices, and perform administrative functions. Training
managers who are responsible for courses using civilian
contractors must understand the guidelines governing contracted
services.
4.1. Guidelines for Contractor Services
Guidelines for acquiring and using contractor services are
outlined generally in Federal Acquisition Regulation Part
37 and are augmented by various DOD and Navy specific
instructions. Personnel who deal with contractor-furnished
services should be aware that they might need to consult
these regulations when acquiring contract services or
interacting with contractor personnel. Training Managers
should also meet with the Contracting Officer's
Representative (COR) who is responsible for monitoring the
contract to discuss their specific contract-related duties
and responsibilities.
The Contracting Officer provides advice to the
activity during the acquisition planning process,
conducts the formal procurement action, and negotiates
with contractors to obtain the services or products
required by the Navy. Only the Contracting Officer
has authority to enter into contracts on behalf of the
Navy. The Contracting Officer is the activity’s agent
for procuring the required services or product.
Normally, the Contracting Officer also retains
ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the
contractor performs per the requirements of the
contract. Authority to make changes to the scope,
cost, or terms and conditions of the contract also
rests with the Contracting Officer. The Contracting
Officer is also responsible for determining the
contract type (e.g., firm-fixed price, cost, etc.)
although the requiring activity should indicate its
preference as to the type that is the most cost
efficient for the services it requires.
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NAVEDTRA 135C