7 USPS Supplying Practices General Practices

7-1 Appointment and Selection of Contracting Officers

7-1.1 Contracting Officer Levels

COs are appointed by the VP, SM, and by individuals delegated appointment authority. Appointees to the position of CO levels I through IV must be career employees in good standing and must meet the qualifications for the particular level (see below). Generally, contracting authorities are grouped by CO level. There are four general levels of CO:

• Level I Contracting Officers. Generally, these COs are delegated up to $100,000 of contracting authority, and up to the maximum limit for orders placed against indefinite-delivery contracts and ordering agreements.
• Level II Contracting Officers. Generally, these COs are delegated up to $1 million of contracting authority, and up to the maximum limit for orders placed against indefinite-delivery contracts and ordering agreements.
• Level III Contracting Officers. Generally, these COs are delegated up to $10 million of contracting authority, and up to the maximum limit for orders placed against indefinite-delivery contracts and ordering agreements.
• Level IV Contracting Officers. Level IV COs are delegated unlimited contracting authority.