Who has the authority to delegate functions in FAR 42.302(a)?

The authority to delegate functions in FAR 42.302(a) lies specifically with the Contracting Officer (CO). This section of the Federal Acquisition Regulation outlines the responsibilities of various roles in the contracting process, highlighting that the CO is the entity that has the formal authority to delegate functions related to contract administration.

The CO is responsible for ensuring that government contracts are executed following established regulations and policies. As such, they have the power to assign certain responsibilities and functions to other individuals or roles, which can include program managers, quality assurance inspectors, among others, as deemed necessary for effective contract management. This delegation of authority allows for efficient oversight and administration, as the CO cannot manage all aspects of every contract personally.

Other roles, such as the program manager or contractor's representative, may play significant roles in the contract process but do not have the unilateral authority to delegate functions as defined in FAR 42.302(a). The program manager may coordinate and manage project activities but would still operate under the authority granted by the contracting officer.

Similarly, a contractor's representative and a quality assurance inspector have vital functions but do not possess the regulatory power to delegate contract administrative tasks. Therefore, the correct understanding of delegated authority points firmly to the Contracting Officer as the designated