(a) General. (1) The Certificate of Competency (COC) Program is authorized under section 8(b)(7) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(7)). A COC is a written instrument issued by SBA to a Government contracting officer, certifying that one or more named small business concerns possess(es) the responsibility to perform a specific Government procurement (or sale) contract, which includes Multiple Award Contracts and orders placed against Multiple Award Contracts, where responsibility type issues are used to determine award or establish the competitive range. The COC Program is applicable to all Government procurement actions, including Multiple Award Contracts and orders placed against Multiple Award Contracts where the contracting officer has used any issues of capacity or credit (responsibility) to determine suitability for an award. With respect to Multiple Award Contracts, contracting officers generally determine responsibility at the time of award of the contract. However, if a contracting officer makes a responsibility determination as set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section for an order issued against a Multiple Award Contract, the contracting officer must refer the matter to SBA for a COC. The COC procedures apply to all Federal procurements, regardless of the location of performance or the location of the procuring activity.
CFR 13-125.5-2013 history
2013CFR 13-125.5-2013 Business Credit and Assistance. Part125:Government contracting programs. Section125.5:What is the Certificate of Competency Program?