Mandatory Procedure
MP5301.601(a)(i)
Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) Matrix
[ Revised January 27, 2017 ]
NOTE: Yellow-shaded blocks indicate retained HCA responsibilities or those that are non-delegable per the regulation listed in the “Reference” column.
Item |
Reference |
HCA Responsibilities / Designee |
Retained by HCA
|
Delegated to SCOs, SCCOs, or Delegable to SCCOs
|
Delegable below SCO or
|
1 |
Ratification of unauthorized commitments, subject to the limitations in FAR 1.602-3(c) -- Delegated in AFFARS |
No |
Yes, for actions of $30K and above |
Delegated to the COCO for actions less than $30K (not redelegable) | |
2 |
Authority to enter into, approve, or terminate Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Other Transactions—including the issuance of a warrant for such purposes. |
See Note 3 |
See Note 3 |
Yes,
| |
3 |
Authority to enter into, approve, modify, and terminate contracts—including the issuance of a Contracting Officer warrant for such purposes. |
No |
Yes,
|
Yes,
| |
4 |
Authorizes the disqualified official to resume participation in the procurement or determine that an additional disqualification period is necessary. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
5 |
Reviews and takes appropriate action on information that a reported violation or possible violation of a present or former government official or someone advising that official knowingly disclosed contractor bid or proposal information or source selection information before award. |
Yes |
No |
No | |
6 |
Authorizes contract award to a Government employee or to a business concern owned or controlled by a Government employee and only if there is a most compelling reason to do so per FAR 3.602. |
Yes |
No |
No | |
7 |
Considers, in addition to any penalty prescribed by law or regulation--suspension or debarment proceedings, voiding and rescinding contracts for a contractor convicted of any offense relating to contracts with the agency. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
8 |
FAR 3.1104(b)
|
Determines in writing that such action in FAR 3.1104(a) is in the best interest of the Government (HCA may impose conditions that provide mitigation of a personal conflict of interest or grant a waiver) |
Yes |
No |
No |
9 |
Approves the publication of paid advertisements in newspapers. -- Delegated in AFFARS |
No |
Yes |
Yes, one level above CO | |
10 |
Determines if agency can enter into contracts for studies, analyses, or consulting services on the basis of an unsolicited proposal without providing for full and open competition. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than the COCO | |
11 |
FAR 6.302-1(d)
|
Approves waiver to post request for information or sources sought notices when using J&A authority FAR 6.302-1. |
No |
Yes, only if SCO/SCCO is GO or SES |
No |
12 |
Approves a document (AFFARS prescribes use of International Agreement Competitive Restrictions (IACR)) that describes the terms of an agreement or treaty or written directions, such as a Letter of Offer and Acceptance, which have the effect of requiring the use of other than competitive procedures. J&A is not required. -- Delegated in AFFARS |
No |
Yes |
Yes, CO | |
13 |
Approves acquisition for vessel/aircraft/vehicle through a lease/charter/similar agreement for 18 months or more. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
14 |
Approves D&F when the total performance period, including options, of a T&M/LH order is more than three years. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
15 |
Is the designee referenced in FAR 9.202(a) (inclusion of other qualification requirements). |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | |
16 |
Is the designee referenced in FAR 9.206-1(b) (enforcing qualification requirements). |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | |
17 |
Approves a contract for procurement, modification, repair, or overhaul of an aviation critical safety item with a source approved by the head of the design control activity. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | |
18 |
Waives FAR 9.5 requirements -- Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest (OCI). |
Yes |
No |
No | |
19 |
Determines an exception to Limitation on Future Contracting in systems engineering and technical assistance contracts is necessary. |
Yes |
No |
No | |
20 |
Determines prior to contract award, that a Single Process Initiative (SPI) process for use in lieu of military or Federal specifications and standards is not acceptable for a specific procurement. |
Yes |
No |
No | |
21 |
Determines it is more cost effective for the Government requiring activity to assign, mark, and register unique item identification after delivery of an item acquired from a small business concern or a commercial item acquired under FAR Part 12 or Part 8 for an acquisition other than ACAT I program. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
22 |
Waiver authority for tailoring provisions and clauses for acquisition of commercial items under FAR 12.302(c). |
No |
Yes |
No | |
23 |
FAR 14.201-7(b)(2) and (c)(2)
|
Waives the requirement for inclusion of FAR clauses 52.214-27 and 52.214-28 in a contract with a foreign government or agency of that government. |
No |
Yes |
No |
24 |
Waives the requirement at DFARS 215.371-2 to resolicit for an additional period of at least 30 days when only one offer is received as a result of a competitive solicitation allowing fewer than 30 days for receipt of proposals. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than the COCO | |
25 |
FAR 15.403-1(c)(4)
|
Waives requirement for submission of certified cost or pricing data in exceptional cases. |
Yes |
No |
No |
26 |
Approves determination to make award without offeror submission of data other than certified cost or pricing data. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
27 |
Authorizes CO to obtain certified cost or pricing data for actions below the threshold in FAR 15.403-4(a)(1), provided the action exceeds the SAT. |
Yes |
No |
No | |
28 |
DFARS 215.404-4(c)(2)(C)(2)
|
Approves the use of the alternate structured approach for Profit (see DFARS 215.404-73). -- Delegated in AFFARS |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO |
29 |
Waives on a case-by-case basis, the use of forward pricing rate agreement (FPRA) rates when such rates are available. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
30 |
Requests an overhead should-cost review for a contractor business unit that does not meet the criteria found in DFARS PGI 215.407-4(c)(2)(A). |
No |
Yes |
No | |
31 |
Approve determination (when contracting with the Canadian Commercial Corporation) that data other than certified cost or pricing data are needed in order to determine that the price is fair and reasonable. Delegated in AFFARS. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, two levels above the Contracting Officer | |
32 |
Approve determination (when contracting with the Canadian Commercial Corporation) that it is reasonably certain that data other than certified cost or pricing data will be needed in order to determine that the price of modifications is fair and reasonable. Delegated in AFFARS. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, two levels above the Contracting Officer | |
33 |
Approves the use of a fixed-ceiling-price contract with retroactive price redetermination. |
Yes |
No |
No | |
34 |
Approves D&F to justify that the use of an incentive or award-fee contract is in the best interest of the government. |
Yes, if award fee is for (a) all ACAT I or II programs and (b) non-ACAT I or II contracts with estimated value of $50M or more.
|
Yes |
No | |
35 |
For Other Contracting, the HCA will designate the Fee Determining Official. The PEO is the Fee Determining Official for the PEO’s assigned programs. The PEO or HCA for Other Contracting may designate this responsibility on an individual contract or class basis. This designation may be made by name, position, or function, without limitation. |
No |
Yes, for Other Contracting |
Yes, for Other Contracting | |
36 |
Approves setting the percentage of award fee available for the final evaluation below 40 percent if the contracting officer determines that a lower percentage is appropriate. |
Yes |
No |
No | |
37 |
FAR 16.601(d)
|
Approves the D&F for a T&M/LH contract or order if the base period plus any option period exceeds three years. |
Yes |
No |
No |
38 |
Gives CO approval to determine a reasonable price or fee if the CO & contractor fail to reach agreement. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
39 |
Determines a letter contract may be used if no other contract type is suitable. |
No |
Yes |
AFMC and SMC SCCOs, and the AFRCO SCO only may delegate below $50M to no lower than COCO | |
40 |
Authorizes the use of a solicitation requesting only multi-year prices, provided that dual proposals are not necessary to meet the objectives in FAR 17.105-2. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
41 |
Approves the use of variable unit prices on multi-year contracts provided that, for competitive proposals, there is a valid method of evaluation. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
42 |
Determines the conditions required by DFARS 217.172(g)(2)(i)-(vii) will be met by a multi-year contract. |
Yes |
No |
No | |
43 |
Determines, on the basis of a business case analysis, that the proposed purchase of electricity from sources of renewable energy under such contract is cost effective; and it would not be possible to purchase electricity from the source in an economical manner without the use of a contract for a period in excess of five years. |
Yes |
No |
No | |
44 |
No |
Yes |
AFMC and SMC SCCOs, and the AFRCO SCO only may delegate below $50M to no lower than COCO | ||
45 |
Approves unilateral definitizations by Contracting Officer. |
No |
Yes |
AFMC and SMC SCCOs, and the AFRCO SCO only may delegate below $50M to no lower than COCO | |
46 |
No |
Yes |
No | ||
47 |
Approves Contracting Officer certification for a replenishment part price increase that increased by 25 percent or more over the most recent 12-month period. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
48 |
Determines that the contracting process may continue after GAO has received a protest (See FAR 33.104(b) and (c)). |
Yes |
No |
No | |
49 |
FAR 18.2
|
Determines that micro-purchases and simplified acquisitions of supplies or services are to be used in support of a contingency operation or to facilitate defense against or recovery from nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than the COCO |
50 |
Implements small business programs within their activities, achieve program goals, and ensure contracting personnel maintain knowledge of program requirements. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
51 |
Assigns small business technical advisors to perform this function in accordance with DFARS 219.201(10). |
No |
Yes |
No | |
52 |
Authorizes a partial set-aside be made if there is a reasonable expectation that only two concerns (one large and one small) with capability will respond with offers. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
53 |
FAR 19.505(b), (c), and (d)
|
Renders a decision regarding the CO’s rejection of an SBA recommendation. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO |
54 |
Determines not to suspend action on the acquisition because urgent and compelling circumstances exist. Replies to SBA if SBA files an appeal for not restricting acquisition to HUBZone. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
55 |
Determines not to suspend action. Replies to SBA after receipt of a formal appeal from SBA concerning rejection of a set-aside for Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
56 |
Designates programs for contractors to notify Government of actual or potential labor disputes. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | |
57 |
DFARS 222.101-3-70
|
Submits impact reports on labor disputes to agency head when sufficient urgency warrants the attention of the agency head or when specifically requested. |
No |
Yes |
No |
58 |
For construction contracts, submits Semiannual Enforcement Reports to the labor advisor. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
59 |
Approves an urgent or critical award, without pre-award clearance from the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), if OFCCP cannot complete the evaluation by required date. Applies for contracts/subcontracts $10M or more excluding construction. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
60 |
Waives the E-Verify requirement for a contract or subcontract or a class of contracts or subcontracts, either temporarily or for the period of performance. |
Yes |
No |
No | |
61 |
Waives the mandatory requirements for safety precautions for ammunition and explosives. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
62 |
FAR 25.103(b)(2)(i)
|
Approves determination that an article/material/supply is not mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States in sufficient quantities of satisfactory quality. |
No |
Yes |
No |
63 |
Approves determination for a public interest exception, valued between the simplified acquisition threshold and $1.5M, for end products that are substantially transformed in the United States. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
64 |
Approves determination for article/material/supply, for $1.5M or more, not domestically available and award is to be made on other than a qualifying country or eligible end product. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
65 |
Approves non-availability determination for domestic construction material. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
66 |
Approves a national interest waiver for a purchase by an overseas purchasing activity if the product is critical for the support of U.S. forces stationed abroad. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
67 |
Approves Non-availability Determination (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – Buy American Act – Construction Materials). |
No |
Yes |
No | |
68 |
Waives restrictions on certain foreign purchases under 10 U.S.C. 2534(a). |
No |
Yes |
No | |
69 |
Approves using other types of bonds when acquiring particular supplies or services. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
70 |
Approves the use of a new surety bond during the performance of the contract. -- Delegated in AFFARS |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | |
71 |
Waives the requirement for use of FAR clause 52.228-7, Insurance -- Liability to Third Persons. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
72 |
Disallows the contractor to buy insurance for war-hazard losses. If so, the CO shall insert the clause at DFARS 252.228-7000. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
73 |
AFI 10-220 [Ground and Flight Risk Clause prescription at 228.370(b)(1)] |
Approving authority for designating/appointing primary and alternate Government Flight Representatives (GFR) |
No |
Yes |
No |
74 |
Waives the requirements of FAR 31. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
75 |
Determine that incurrence of the Contribution in Aid of Construction (CIAC) tax is necessary to achieve the most beneficial business case for the Government and allowing the CIAC tax will result in significant benefits to the Government that outweigh the cost of allowing the tax. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
76 |
No |
Yes |
No | ||
77 |
Determines that conditions exist that limit normal business operations. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
78 |
At the request of the contractor, reviews agency records associated with a request for reimbursement of protest costs by the Government. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than the COCO | |
79 |
Authorizes contract award notwithstanding a GAO protest before award, or continued contract performance notwithstanding a GAO protest after award. |
Yes
|
No |
No | |
80 |
Reports to the GAO why their recommendations have not been followed by the agency not later than 5 days after the expiration of the 60-day response period. |
Yes |
No |
No | |
81 |
Determines that continued performance is necessary pending resolution of any claim that might arise under or be related to the contract. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, at least one level above CO | |
82 |
DFARS 235.015-70(c) & (d)(3)(ii)
|
Approves special use allowance for research facility acquired by educational institutions. |
No |
Yes |
No |
83 |
Approves concurrent performance of firm-fixed-price and other types of construction contracts at the same work site. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
84 |
Waives the requirement for pre-solicitation notices for proposed construction contracts expected to exceed the SAT. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
85 |
Authorizes the use of pre-qualifications for urgent or complex construction projects. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | |
86 |
Approves the prequalification procedures of construction sources. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | |
87 |
Establishes other criteria for use of two-phase design-build selection procedures. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | |
88 |
Approves determination to allow more than five offerors to submit phase two design-build proposals for acquisitions >$4M. |
No |
Yes,
|
No | |
89 |
Approves use of a separate bid item for mobilization and preparatory work. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | |
90 |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | ||
91 |
Determines that, in fixed-price A&E contracts, cost limitations are secondary to performance considerations and additional project funding can be expected, if necessary. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
92 |
Approves a proposed personal services contract for services to be provided by individuals outside the U.S. and directly supports defense intelligence components or special operations command. Services must be urgent, cannot be obtained by other means, and are supporting DoD activities or programs outside the U.S. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
93 |
Determines the services being acquired under contract with the local government are in DoD’s best interest. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | |
94 |
Approves determination to pay the non-negotiated utility rates due to contract impasse. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | |
95 |
Determines use of the area-wide contract for utility services is not advantageous to the Government. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | |
96 |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO | ||
97 |
Approves the solicitation of voluntary refunds from a contractor. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
98 |
Determines installation or construction of Government property on contractor-owned real property in such a fashion as to become non-severable is necessary and in the Government’s interest. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
99 |
DFARS 245.102(4)(ii)(C)(1)(ii)
|
Approves a determination and findings concluding that it is more cost effective for the Government requiring activity to assign, mark, and register the unique item identification after delivery of an item acquired from a small business concern or a commercial item acquired under FAR part 12 or part 8. (CAE must approve the determination and findings for an ACAT I program.) |
No |
Yes, for other than ACAT I programs |
No |
100 |
Approves use of Government property for commercial use expected to exceed 25 percent of the total use of Government and commercial work performed. |
No |
Yes |
No | |
101 |
Determines if the cost of calculating and tracking collateral savings will exceed the benefits to be derived. |
No |
Yes |
Yes, but no lower than COCO |
Note 1: Delegable HCA responsibilities are delegated directly to MAJCOM/DRU/AFRCO SCOs, and AFLCMC and SMC SCCOs.
Note 2: Responsibilities delegated to the AFICA SCCO may be performed by the AFICA OL Directors of Contracting when delegated by the HQ AFICA SCCO. Responsibilities delegated to the AFMC SCCOs are authorized to be performed by the Directors of Contracting at Eglin AFB, Hanscom AFB, Hill AFB, and Robins AFB -- their Deputy Directors of Contracting, Assistant Director of Contracting, and the Technical Director/Assistant to the Director of Contracting.
Note 3: Authority to enter into, approve, or terminate Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Other Transactions has been approved as shown below. This authority may be redelegated within the contracting functional chain of responsibility, in writing, under such terms, conditions, and limitations as may be deemed appropriate.
MAJCOM/DRU/SMC |
Grant Authority |
Cooperative Agreement Authority |
Other Transactions Authority |
HQ AFMC/PK |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
HQ AFRC/A7K |
No |
No |
No |
SMC/PK |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
HQ AFDW/PK |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
HQ USAFA/PK |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
AFOTEC/A7K |
No |
No |
No |
AFRCO/PK |
No |
No |
Yes |