§ 4401.603-2 - Selection.

In the areas of experience, training, and education, the following shall be required unless contracting authority is limited to a simplified purchase procedures. Waiver of any of these criteria shall be in writing:

(a) An individual contracting officer or an individual appointed to a position having contracting officer authority shall have a minimum of two years experience performing contracting, procurement, or purchasing functions in a Government or commercial contracting office. Additionally, where a contracting officer will work in a specialized field, experience in the field shall be a criterion for the appointment.

(b) An individual contracting officer or an individual appointed to a position having contracting officer authority shall have the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accedited college or institution with major studies in business administration, law, accounting, or related fields. The appointing official may waive this requirement when a candidate is otherwise qualified by virtue of extensive contract-related experience and training, business acumen, judgment, character, reputation, and ethics.

(c) An individual contracting officer or an individual appointed to a position having contracting authority shall have successfully completed training courses in both Government basic procurement and Government contract administration, each of not less than 80 class hours. Incumbents not meeting the special training requirements shall be given 24 months to meet the minimum qualification standards.