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The Air Force recently announced a major change in its Quality Assurance Program and the proficiency levels of individuals who oversee contractors performing services for the government.
First, quality assurance personnel will now be designated as “contracting officer representatives,” or CORs. Major program changes include specialized training for the CORs, and more hands-on involvement by the contracting officer, the COR’s supervisor, and functional commander/functional director. The CO will determine the type of contract and COR training required for each contract. COs have already begun contacting units with notification of the required training.
Completion of the specified courses will be required before a unit can recommend a COR to the CO. Courses are online at Defense Acquisition University and will enhance the COR’s understanding of contractor oversight. Contracts will begin transitioning to the new requirements effective immediately. Commanders should ensure potential CORs complete these courses expeditiously, to avoid delays in contract awards. If personnel are receiving COR training in preparation for deployment, personnel must contact the deployment area to determine the “type” of contract, which in turn dictates the DAU course requirements. They must also attend the QAPC-led COR Initial Training class (previously called “QAP Phase I” Training). Personnel currently performing duties on current service contracts and designated as a QAP will be required to meet COR training standards when the next option period is exercised.
This new COR process will be tracked in an online, web-based application called “Contracting Officer Representative Tracking Tool.” Training on the new COR process and this tracking tool will be held in the Foulois Auditorium, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Conference Center, Bldg. 306A, Ramstein. Attendance by your CORs, COR supervisors and functional commander/functional director is highly encouraged. Training dates and times are as follows:
Aug. 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (each session is anticipated to last about two hours).
Aug. 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Aug. 16, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For details, contact your contract specialist or your contracting officer. You may also contact the 700th Contracting Squadron Quality Assurance Program coordinator, Paula Hull, at paula.hull@ramstein.af.mil.
(Courtesy of Paula Hull)
