# AFARS APPENDIX CC

Part 1 -- Introduction

- CC-100 -- Purpose.
- CC-101 -- Objectives.
- CC-102 -- Applicability.

Part 2 -- COR Policy and Philosophy

- CC-200 -- Policy.
- CC-201 -- Philosophy.

Part 3 -- Responsibilities

- CC-301 -- Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) (ASA(AL&T)).
- CC-302 -- Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Policy and Procurement (DASA(P&P)).
- CC-303 -- Directorate of Business Operations and Enterprise Systems (SAAL-PB), Office of the DASA(P&P).
- CC-304 -- Heads of Contracting Activity.

Part 4 -- Procedures

- CC-400 -- Scheduling.
- CC-401 -- Types of Contracting Operations Reviews.
- CC-402 -- Approach of Contracting Operations Reviews.
- CC-403 -- Preparation for Contracting Operations Reviews.
- CC-404 -- Results of Contracting Operations Reviews.
- CC-405 -- Results of Field Contracting Operations Review.

AFARS -- Appendix CC

[AFARS Revision #23, dated May 16, 2008]

Army Contracting Operations Review (COR) Program

Part 1 -- Introduction

CC-100 -- Purpose.

This Appendix prescribes policy, responsibilities, and procedures for the Department of the Army (DA) COR Program.

CC-101 -- Objectives.

The COR Program will --

(a) Assess, analyze, and communicate the health of Army contracting to senior Army leadership,

(b) Provide management consultant services for the Army to enhance the procurement process,

(c) Assist management oversight and control of select contracting related issues.

CC-102 -- Applicability.

This Appendix applies to all elements of the Army (including the Corps of Engineers and the National Guard Bureau) having contracting missions (regardless of funding source, type of commodity, or service).

Part 2 -- COR Policy and Philosophy

CC-200 -- Policy.

The DA, at every level of management, shall review, assess, analyze, and improve contracting operations and management for effectiveness and efficiency.

CC-201 -- Philosophy.

The COR Program will provide an interactive framework emphasizing communication, assessment, and assistance throughout the Army. Data collection, analysis, identification of best practices, and other information will allow the assessment of the state of Army contracting operations, organization, and management, and provide a forum for solution and development of issues. The thrust of the COR Program is to effect change through continuous improvement.

Part 3 -- Responsibilities

CC-301 -- Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) (ASA(AL&T)).

The ASA (AL&T) is the Army Acquisition Executive (AAE) and the Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) for the Army, and is responsible for all procurement and contracting functions of the Army to include agency head authority for contracting matters; delegation of contracting authority; designation of contracting activities; promulgating Army contracting policies and procedures (Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFARS)); and contracting operations review program activities. This includes initial development, implementation and promulgation of acquisition, procurement and contracting policies, procedures, and good business practices. The ASA(ALT) is responsible for funding and staffing the COR Program.

CC-302 -- Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Policy and Procurement (DASA(P&P)).

The DASA(P&P) is responsible for providing responsive, responsible management and execution of contracting functions Army-wide, and issuing guidance, on a periodic basis, on areas of special interest to the Army senior leadership. This includes providing policy guidance on all contracting operations, contracting support of weapon systems acquisition, and industrial base operations. The DASA(P&P) will provide oversight of the organizations, resources, policies and procedures related to the management and execution of Army contracting world-wide; serve as the Army lead for implementation, management, and oversight of acquisition initiatives and excellence; manage the Army’s contracting and acquisition career programs; and ensure competition and all special interest and socio-economic program goals are supported.

CC-303 -- Directorate of Business Operations and Enterprise Systems (SAAL-PB), Office of the DASA(P&P).

SAAL-PB is responsible for the effective administration and conduct of the COR Program. To this end, SAAL-PB will --

(a) Provide a Program Manager to coordinate, manage, and oversee the Army-wide COR Program.

(b) Provide consulting services on acquisition issues to the Army.

(c) Analyze and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of Army contracting programs and operations.

(d) Identify and communicate contracting best practices, lessons learned, bench marks, and information.

(e) Oversee Army-wide execution of the COR Program as administered by the Heads of Contracting Activity (HCA).

(f) Periodically provide COR guidance to HCAs, including the DASA(P&P) special areas of interest.

(g) Be an advocate of the field for the coordination and resolution of issues at DA or higher levels.

CC-304 -- Heads of Contracting Activity.

HCAs shall --

(a) Execute the Army COR program to ensure fulfillment of HCA responsibilities for a responsive and cost-effective contracting system, and review contracting compliance with FAR, DFARS, AFARS, Command Supplements, and DA Policy, consistent with DA COR objectives and DASA(P&P) special areas of interest.

(b) Provide a senior representative from their staff to act as their representative on the Army’s COR Advisory Team.

(c) Provide supplemental staff support as required to conduct DA level reviews.

(d) Identify and communicate procurement best practices, lessons learned, bench marks, and information to SAAL-PB.

Part 4 -- Procedures

CC-400 -- Scheduling.

COR site visits will be conducted on a planned basis, when requested, or when directed by higher authority. At a minimum, CORs will be conducted on every contracting activity, to include subordinate contracting offices, regardless of the level at least once every 24 months. An extension to 36 months may be granted on a one-time basis when circumstances justify it and provided a written approval of such an extension is obtained from the DASA(P&P). This approval may not be delegated.

CC-401 -- Types of Contracting Operations Reviews.

The COR is a multi-tiered program that includes --

(a) COR visits by the Office of the DASA(P&P) (ODASA(P&P)) to the headquarters, contracting Army Commands and Offices of Principal Assistants Responsible for Contracting (OPARC). OPARCs not directly involved in the execution of contracts will propose a subordinate contracting activity for supplemental review.

(b) COR visits by the HCA to Offices of the Directors of Contracting and other subordinate contracting offices.

(c) COR visits by the Directors of Contracting to subordinate contracting offices.

(d) Special assistance, review and assessment, Army-wide, as required.

(e) Surveys.

CC-402 -- Approach of Contracting Operations Reviews.

(a) CORs will be collaborative and will emphasize effectiveness of strategic planning, identification and effectiveness of metrics, and the flow of information among organizations at the headquarters and OPARC levels. CORs will emphasize effectiveness along with compliance with procurement laws, regulations, policies, and best practices at the contract execution level. Current improvements in contracting policies and procedures will be addressed.

(b) CORs will, in a consultant capacity, provide for the exchange of information and advice on lessons learned, best practices, mitigation of barriers to effective change, and opportunities for continuous improvement.

(c) Participation by the ODASA(P&P) in OPARC CORs will address COR objectives and enhance the OPARC team in achieving its responsibilities pursuant to this Appendix.

CC-403 -- Preparation for Contracting Operations Reviews.

Procurement organizations will be notified by the ODASA(P&P) before planned COR visits. They will be asked to provide (in advance) statistics, orientation data, logistical support, and copies of previous review reports and previous corrective action plans.

CC-404 -- Results of Contracting Operations Reviews.

(a) Each COR will be summarized in a report containing: risk assessment, analysis of issues, commendations, observations, findings, and recommendations as appropriate.

(b) Information from CORs will be disseminated on a quarterly basis utilizing various mediums of communication, such as the website, e-mails, newsletters, memoranda, conferences, special meetings, integrated process teams, and other channels.

CC-405 -- Results of Field Contracting Operations Review.

OPARCs shall provide to SAAL-PB copies of all COR reports and associated analyses of subordinate contracting offices.

[AFARS Revision #23, dated May 16, 2008]