I know I'm veering off the discussion here, but I thought this might be the best place to ask my question. Is there any prohibition on Contracting Officers participating in the certification of funds, which they will later obligate with a contract award or contract mod?
In my office, Contracting sits in the same office as our customer, and we are constantly asked to direct the customer on how to enter requisitions into the new system our agency is required to use. Contracting Officers aren't given the ability to enter requistions in the system, but those who have the ability haven't learned how to use the system well, and ask us to sit with them and tell them what to enter. Any questions regarding how to enter a requisition, and even what accounting codes to use for particular projects, or why funds aren't available are coming to us.
I believe that Contracting Officers should not be involved in certifying funds, but I can't find a regulation or case to support this position. I see it as a lack of risk control. If the Contracting Officer is controlling the requisitions and the contract awards, isn't there a risk that funds can be used inappropriately?
Any thoughts?
Thanks.