7-1.4 Contracting Officer Level Qualifications

Appointment to a particular CO level requires progressively more exacting qualifications. In addition, the following qualifications apply to COs appointed by the VP, SM, or by re-delegated appointment authority from the VP SM:

1. Contracting Officer Level I:
1. Experience — One (1) year of experience performing substantive purchasing tasks.
2. Training — Satisfactory completion of 32 hours of formal training in each of the following subjects:
1. Fundamentals of SM.
2. Contracting Methods and Principles.
2. Contracting Officer Level II:
1. Experience — Three (3) years of current, progressively complex and responsible experience in performing competitive and noncompetitive purchasing (not including simplified purchasing). Generally, this experience must have been gained in intermediate level contracting positions.
2. Training — In addition to the training requirements for a Level I CO, satisfactory completion of the required hours of formal training in each of the following subjects:
1. Negotiation Strategies (24 hours).
2. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)/Cost and Price Analysis (CPA) (32 hours).
3. Contract Management/Administration (32 hours).
4. Project Management (24 hours).
5. Legal Considerations - Procurement Contract Law (32 hours).
3. Contracting Officer Level III:
1. Experience — Five (5) years of current, progressively complex and responsible experience in soliciting, negotiating, awarding, and administering competitive and noncompetitive purchasing actions. Ordinarily, this experience must have been in higher level purchasing positions.
2. Training — In addition to the training requirement for Levels I and II CO, satisfactory completion of 32 hours of formal training in Purchasing/SM Advanced Strategic Issues.
4. Contracting Officer Level IV: Subject and pursuant to VP SM delegation of contracting officer authority, the holders of the following positions are Level IV COs.
1. Manager, Employee, Financial and Tactical Services CMC
2. Manager, Professional and Technical Services CMC
3. Manager, Customer Products and Fulfillment CMC
4. Manager, Facilities Construction CMC
5. Manager, Facilities Services CMC
6. Manager, Automation and Material Handling Services CMC
7. Manager, Operational Supplies and Mail Transport Equipment CMC
8. Manager, Vehicles and Delivery / Industrial Equipment CMC
9. Manager, Information Technology Software Services and Retail Systems CMC
10. Manager, Telecommunications and Information Technology Hardware CMC
11. Manager, Transportation Services CMC
12. Manager, Air Transportation CMC
13. Manager, Surface Transportation CMC
5. Contracting Officer Level V. Subject and pursuant to VP SM delegation of contracting officer authority, the holders of the following positions are Level V COs:
1. Manager, Facilities Portfolio.
2. Manager, Mail and Operational Equipment Portfolio.
3. Manager, Commercial Products and Services Portfolio.
4. Manager, Technology Infrastructure Portfolio.
5. Manager, Transportation Portfolio.

Note: The formal training may be obtained through SM provided curriculum, an accredited college or university, a federally sponsored program, a nationally recognized training organization, or a SM-related professional association or organization.