a. GPC programs require procurement authority to operate and cannot be established or maintained unless procurement authority is granted in accordance with governing laws and regulations and delegated through a contracting activity identified in Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI) 202.101 and the DoD Charge Card Guidebook. Contracting authority flows from authorities granted in Titles 10 and 41, United States Code (10 and 41 USC) from DoD to the Secretary of the Army to the Heads of Contracting Activities (HCAs). The HCA re-delegates contracting authority to local procurement offices. The Senior Contracting Official (SCO) or Chief of Contracting Office (CCO) may re-delegate their GPC procurement authority listed in Table 1-3 to OA/OPCs or A/OPCs for OA/OPCs and A/OPCs to appoint cardholders and convenience check account holders through the Delegation of Contracting Authority Letter produced in the Joint Appointment Module (JAM) within the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE). See sections 1-8 and 5-1 for more information. Cardholders must countersign to acknowledge this responsibility.

b. The Joint Appointment Module (JAM), an application within PIEE, is the mandatory enterprise tool for appointing and delegating authority to GPC personnel.

c. Orientation and training are prerequisites to receiving GPC delegated authority via an appointment in JAM. Training requirements are listed in Chapter 4.

d. Generally, only a Government employee can be a cardholder or billing official. National Guard traditional members and State employees should not be CHs or BOs. The following exceptions apply:

1) Foreign nationals may be appointed as CHs only if they are direct hires working for the U.S. Government. However, commanders/directors should consider the potential consequences of appointing foreign nationals as CHs in countries where Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs) or local laws do not subject the foreign national employee to the same pecuniary or general financial liability or disciplinary actions for charge card violation as U.S. citizens.

2) Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) instructors are members of the Armed Forces in accordance with USACC Regulation 145-2, section 4-2, and may be designated micro-purchase procurement authority as GPC cardholders. See FAR 1.603-3(b).