Federal Contracting Acronym
COTR
Contracting Officer's Technical Representative
Plain-English definition
Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives monitor deliverables and performance but cannot authorize contractual changes without the CO.
Why it matters
Teams must document direction through the CO when COTR guidance affects scope or schedule.
Where you will see it
Deliverable reviews, QASP meetings, and technical correspondence.
Example in context
When reviewing a solicitation, a contractor confirms how COTR is used in the notice, whether related clauses apply, and which internal subject-matter experts should validate the response.