# 48 C.F.R. § 3.603 (2026): Responsibilities of the contracting officer

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P3_S3_603

## Section

- **Citation:** 48 C.F.R. § 3.603 (2026)
- **Heading:** Responsibilities of the contracting officer
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 48 CFR: Federal Acquisition Regulations System / Chapter 1 / Part 3 / Subpart 3.6 / § 3.603: Responsibilities of the contracting officer.

## Text

(a) Before awarding a contract, the contracting officer shall obtain an authorization under 3.602 if— (1) The contracting officer knows, or has reason to believe, that a prospective contractor is one to which award is otherwise prohibited under 3.601; and (2) There is a most compelling reason to make an award to that prospective contractor. (b) The contracting officer shall comply with the requirements and guidance in subpart 9.5 before awarding a contract to an organization owned or substantially owned or controlled by Government employees.

## Nearby sections

- [48 C.F.R. § 3.601 (2026) Policy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P3_S3_601.md)
- [48 C.F.R. § 3.602 (2026) Exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P3_S3_602.md)
- [48 C.F.R. § 3.603 (2026) Responsibilities of the contracting officer.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P3_S3_603.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P3_S3_603. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.