Skip to main content

Contracting Officer Technical Representative

Position Description

Duties

  • Represents the Contracting Officer between the national contractors (Shower and Caterer) and the Incident Management Team (IMT).
  • Ensures that the national contactors are in compliance with all aspects of the national contract.
  • Ensures that the IMT are meeting their responsibilities as identified in the national contract.
  • Must be extremely familiar with the National Interagency Mobile Food Service and Shower Facilities Contract.
  • Conducts periodic inspections of food service area and water quality control.
  • Coordinates with Medical Unit regarding any reported illnesses that could be attributed to the Food Unit.
  • Ensures safety and health regulations are known to personnel handling food.
  • Monitors contractor’s performance in reference to the contract requirements.
  • Reports deviations to the Contracting Office.
  • Acts as focal point for correspondence and discussions regarding technical direction of contract.
  • Issues technical direction providing specific details.
  • Provides clarification of technical directions.
  • Monitors contract performance.
  • Reviews contractor invoices.
  • Assures contractor is performing technical requirements of contract in accordance with contract terms, specifications, conditions.
  • Performs final inspection and acceptance of work required under the contract.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • National Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative for Food/Shower Contracts Training.
  • Bi-annual attendance at the national COTR workshop.
  • Familiarity with food handling and sanitation regulations, OSHA and NEC.
  • Designated by national Food/Shower Contracting Officer.
  • Satisfactory position performance as COTR.
  • Agency certified.

NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412