---
title: What is a contracting officer?
description: The person you will want to develop a relationship with that will award you Government contracts.
---

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# What is a contracting officer?

## The person you will want to develop a relationship with that will award you Government contracts.

Each department and Federal agency have their own contracting officers and procurement agents that handle the purchasing of goods and services. Although they are all governed by the FAR, they also have their own rules and regulations for each department and agency Contracting officers are granted authority to award contracts on behalf of the Government by way of a “warrant” given by a cabinet-level official.

All opportunities will go through the designated CO for the department or agency. They will submit requests for proposal to any contractor they have built a relationship with. Generally, their contractors have nurtured a relationship with the agency/department contact and these contractions don’t have to go through the normal procurement process.

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