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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

2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal