# 501.603-2 Selection.

(a) Contracting Officer Warrant Board (COWB).

(1) The COWB ensures that all of the applicable criteria have been met prior to granting any GSA contracting officer warrant.

(2) Composition of the COWB. The HCA appoints the Board members and the Chair.

(i) COWB Chair. The COWB Chair evaluates the contracting officer candidate's credentials prior to submission to the COWB.

(ii) Senior leadership representing each type of warrant issued by the contracting activity.

(iii) Other specialized representation, such as legal counsel assistance (as requested).

(iv) Any other designee with knowledge and experience in the warrant procedures.

(b) Nominations for a regional appointment are submitted by the candidate's supervisor of record. Nominations for a national appointment are submitted by the candidate's respective regional HCA. Nominations are submitted in package form, which must include the following:

(1) Completed and signed GSA Form 3410, Request for Appointment. The GSA Form 3410 must discuss the contracting activity’s specific need for the warrant. Justify the need in block 1 of the GSA Form 3410.

(2) Completed and signed GSA Form 3409, Personal Qualifications Statement for Appointment as a Contracting Officer, or a resume detailing the candidate's experience, education, and training relevant to the position.

(3) Verification of candidate's training.

(4) Copies of candidate's training certificates, unofficial college transcripts and previous warrants (if previously warranted).

(5) A current warrant certificate from another HCA in GSA may be submitted instead of the items listed in paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(4) of this section.

(c) Evaluation of candidates for contracting officer warrants.

(1) Experience requirements. The COWB must consider the candidate's relevant experience in determining the candidate's capability to assume contracting officer responsibilities at the desired level.

Warrant Level | Experience Required
--- | ---
Basic | At least 1 year of current (within last 3 years) contracting experience with progressively broader assignments
Simplified Acquisition | At least 2 years of current (within the last 5 years) contracting experience with progressively broader assignments
Intermediate | At least 3 years of current (within the last 7 years) contracting experience with progressively broader assignments*
Senior | At least 4 years of current (within the last 10 years) contracting experience with progressively broader assignments*

*The COWB will consider the quality of past contracts and leases and the results of any independent review conducted by the contracting activity to verify the nominee's contracting experience as defined in 501.603-1(a) at the intermediate and senior level.

(2) Training requirements.

(i) Any contracting professional issued an unlimited warrant after October 1, 2014 must be Level III certified.

(ii) Contracting officer candidates must complete the minimum training requirements. GSA has adopted the FAC-C curriculum established by the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI).

(iii) Refer to the Acquisition Workforce Community of Practice accessible through GSA's Acquisition Portal (https://insite.gsa.gov/portal/category/534186) for the minimum training requirements for warrants.

(iv) In addition to the warrant requirements, individuals may be required to complete additional training to strengthen the acquisition workforce.

(v) Contracting officers with multiple warrant authorities (e.g., with authority to dispose of and to acquire goods and services) must complete the mandatory training required for all warrant authorities at the applicable warrant level(s).

(3) Educational requirements.

(i) Applicants at pay grades 5 through 12. Applicants for permanent warrants above the simplified acquisition level, who are at grades 5 through 12, must have completed a four year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree or 24 semester hours in one of the designated fields as shown in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section.

(ii) Applicants at grades 13 and above. Applicants for permanent warrants above the simplified acquisition level, who are at grade 13 or above, must have completed a four year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the designated fields as shown in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section. The SPE may waive these requirements. The applicant must demonstrate significant analytical and decision-making capabilities, an acceptable job performance record, and qualifying experience.

(iii) The designated educational fields are:

(A) Accounting.

(B) Business.

(C) Finance.

(D) Law.

(E) Contracts

(F) Purchasing

(G) Economics.

(H) Industrial management.

(I) Marketing.

(J) Quantitative methods.

(K) Organization and management.

(iv) Employees who were warranted prior to January 1, 2000, are considered to have met the educational standard for their existing warrant; however, warrant increases or new warrant applications are subject to applicable warrant requirements.

(v) To retain warrants, Contracting Officers must meet the 80 hour CLP requirement, every two years, as outlined in the FAC-C curriculum.

(4) Job classification requirements.

(i) PBS National Acquisition Warrants are limited to candidates within the GS-1102 job series.

(ii) PBS National Leasing Warrants are limited to candidates within the GS-1170 job series.