XL EagleACO (Administrative Contracting Officer)
ACO stands for Administrative Contracting Officer. An ACO, or Administrative Contracting Officer, is a contracting officer assigned to administer a contract after award. Common ACO duties include overseeing contractor performance, reviewing systems, approving certain payments, handling property issues and closing out the contract.
In the Defense Department, ACOs often work at the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). The exact split of duties between the PCO and the ACO is set out in the contract or the delegation.
Why it matters to a small contractor
If an ACO is named on your contract, they become a key relationship for keeping payments and paperwork flowing. Know which questions belong to the ACO and which still go to the PCO, so requests do not bounce between offices.
Example
A small manufacturer wins a DoD parts contract. The contract assigns administration to a DCMA ACO, who later approves its request to change the shipping point to a new warehouse.
ACO: common questions
Can an ACO change my contract?
Within the authority delegated to them, yes. Some changes, especially major scope changes, are typically kept by the PCO.
Does every contract have an ACO?
No. On many smaller contracts the PCO handles both award and administration.
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