The U.S. Army recently announced the creation of a new Personnel Development Skill Identifier (PDSI) - C6N- Contracting Officer Representative, designed to recognize and track enlisted Soldiers with the vital skills needed to oversee contract execution. This PDSI underscores the Army's commitment to professionalizing contract oversight and ensuring mission readiness.

Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) play a critical role in ensuring the Army receives quality goods and services, on time and within budget. They serve as the eyes and ears of the contracting officer, monitoring contractor performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms.

“We must move faster, stay efficient, and prioritize lethality. A trained COR ensures oversight and quality in vital services, fueling the warrior mindset,” said ACC Command Sergeant Major Rachel Harris.

The C6N PDSI formally acknowledges the specialized skillset of CORs, incentivizing Soldiers to pursue and maintain proficiency in this critical area. By identifying and tracking qualified CORs, the Army strengthens its ability to manage contracts, particularly in critical contingency operations involving essential supplies like food, water, electricity, and aviation fuel. This PDSI will support informed decision-making by commanders who will gain a clearer understanding of the qualified CORs within their formations, enabling strategic personnel placement and optimizing contract oversight.

Additionally, the new PDSI enables fiscal responsibility through rigorous oversight by trained CORs mitigating the risk of inflated pricing and ensuring quality service delivery resulting in significant cost savings and protection of taxpayer dollars. Contracting Officer Representatives are vital to the improvement of Soldier quality of life. Effective contract management directly impacts the quality of services Soldiers rely on, such as food service and barracks management, ultimately contributing to improved morale and well-being.

The award submission process for the C6N PDSI is straightforward. The requirements include completing three specific Defense Acquisition University online courses, a minimum of one year of on-the-job experience as a COR, ethics training, Wide Area Workflow training, and local contracting office training. The PDSI is open to any enlisted Career Management Field.

This new PDSI is more than just an identifier; it's a talent management tool empowering commanders to readily identify and utilize the expertise of skilled Contracting Officer Representatives within their formations. The C6N PDSI signifies a significant step towards a more efficient, accountable, and mission-ready force.