A person with the authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The term includes any authorized representatives of the CO acting within the limits of their authority. A CO whose primary responsibility is to administer contracts is an Administrative Contracting Officer. One whose primary responsibility is to terminate contracts and/or settle terminated contracts is a Termination Contracting Officer. A single contracting officer may be responsible for duties in any or all of these areas.