use of the Contracting Officer Representative Tracking (CORT) Tool.
The CORT Tool is designed for
use by military departments and defense agencies for all contracts with
CORs assigned. The tool is a web
management capability for appointing CORs. It allows a prospective
COR, COR supervisor, or contracting officer to electronically nominate
CORs for one or more contracts.
It provides built-in workflows for
the nomination process, including
email alerts and status reminders for
monthly status report deadlines and
delinquencies.
The CORT Tool provides contracting personnel and requiring activities
with the means to track and manage
COR assignments across multiple
contracts throughout the DOD. Although the CORT Tool offers a great
benefit for managing the COR program, operational units rarely use it
because they are unaware of the DOD
directive mandating its use.
In September 2010, the International Security Assistance Force
commander issued contracting
guidance articulating the impor-
tance of contracting in the overall
mission. It stated that contracting is the “commander’s business.”
Army leaders must embrace OCS
and ensure that the COR puts forth
the appropriate energy and effort to
the mission.
From a leadership perspective,
collected OILs indicate that commanders need additional tools and
guidance to assist them in selecting
the right person to act as a COR.
R–CAAT feedback indicates that
although CORs receive training,
many are not experienced enough
to deal with highly experienced
contractors and to properly monitor contractor performance.
A remedy for this issue is to develop a list of considerations and
recommendations for screening
and selecting CORs and reemphasize th