Code of Federal Regulations Title 48. Federal Acquisition Regulations System 48.32.602 Responsibilities

(a) The contracting officer has primary responsibility for identifying and demanding payment of contract debts except those resulting from errors made by the payment office. The contracting officer shall not collect contract debts or otherwise agree to liquidate contract debts (e.g., offset the amount of the debt against existing unpaid bills due the contractor, or allow contractors to retain contract debts to cover amounts that may become payable in future periods).

(b) The payment office has primary responsibility for—