Overview
This section defines the specific roles and organizational levels authorized to exercise the extraordinary contracting authorities granted by Public Law 85-804 and Executive Order 10789.
Key Rules
- Approving Authority: Defined as an agency official or a specific contract adjustment board with the legal power to approve extraordinary contractual actions.
- Secretarial Level: Establishes a high-level threshold for decision-making, requiring actions to be handled by a deputy assistant agency head (or higher) or a formal contract adjustment board.
- Scope: These definitions apply specifically to FAR Part 50, which governs extraordinary contractual actions and the SAFETY Act.
Practical Implications
- Elevated Authority: Contractors should recognize that requests for extraordinary relief (such as formal amendments without consideration) cannot be approved by a standard Contracting Officer; they require high-level executive or board intervention.
- Strict Governance: The specific reference to Pub. L. 85-804 ensures that these definitions only apply to "extraordinary" circumstances where standard procurement law does not provide an adequate remedy.