DAFI63-138 — Acquisition Of Services

DAFI63-138 governs the acquisition and management of contracted services within the Department of the Air Force.

Search DAFI63-138

  • Publication number: DAFI63-138
  • Title: ACQUISITION OF SERVICES
  • Date: 2024-01-02

View DAFI63-138 on armypubs.army.mil


DAFI63-138 establishes roles for service acquisition officials, contracting officers, and contracting officer’s representatives. It addresses acquisition planning, requirements definition, contract formation, and post-award program management, with mandatory compliance requirements and tiered waiver authorities.

Applies to: This publication applies to civilian employees and uniformed members of the United States Space Force, the Regular Air Force, and the Air Force Reserve.

Topics covered

  • Contracted services acquisition
  • Service acquisition authorities
  • Contracting Officer responsibilities
  • Contracting Officer’s Representative duties
  • Acquisition planning
  • Requirements definition
  • Contract formation
  • Post-award program management

Questions and answers

Who has authority to obligate the Government and direct a contractor’s performance?

The CO is the only person with the authority to obligate the Government and direct a contractor’s performance.

What does a Contracting Officer do on behalf of the Government?

The CO plans, awards, administers, modifies, interprets, takes corrective action, and terminates a contract on behalf of the Government commensurate with the limitations specified on the CO’s warrant.

When must a Contracting Officer designate a Contracting Officer’s Representative?

COs shall designate a COR for all services contracts, unless certain conditions are met, as described in DFARS Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI) 201.602-2(d)(v)(A), Responsibilities.

What must prospective Contracting Officer’s Representatives participate in before contract award?

Prospective CORs shall participate, as appropriate, in pre-award requirements definition, acquisition planning, and contract formation processes (i.e., market research, independent government estimate, justification and approval documentation).

Can Contracting Officer’s Representatives delegate their duties to other persons?

CORs must verify and document the observations provided by SMEs; however, CORs shall not appoint, designate, re-designate or sub-designate COR duties/responsibilities to other persons.

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