# Contracting Officers Identify Common Contractor Errors

Government contracting officers and acquisition professionals consistently observe recurring contractor errors that impact procurement efficiency and contract performance. These mistakes include failure to thoroughly read and comply with solicitation instructions, especially Sections L and M, misunderstanding the scope and limitations of GSA Schedules, improper communication by engaging Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) instead of Contracting Officers (COs), and administrative oversights during contract closeout. These issues can lead to delayed payments, contract disputes, and operational inefficiencies, underscoring the need for contractors to carefully review solicitation requirements, adhere strictly to submission guidelines, and maintain proper communication channels throughout the contract lifecycle.

- Contractors must verify awarded Special Item Numbers (SINs), service descriptions, and labor categories under GSA Schedules to avoid scope violations and ensure compliance.
- Procurement professionals should emphasize clear solicitation language and provide timely clarifications to reduce bidder confusion and improve proposal quality.
- Proper engagement with Contracting Officers rather than CORs is critical to maintain authorized communication and prevent misunderstandings.
- Awareness of common administrative errors during contract closeout can help both contractors and acquisition teams streamline contract completion and final payments.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Professional Services
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- General Services Administration (GSA)
- Contracting Officer (CO)
- Contracting Officer Representative (COR)
- Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO)
- Defense Acquisition Corps (DACO)

### Key Quotes
> Your Schedule is a menu, not an all-access pass. Before quoting, check the awarded SIN, service description, labor categories where applicable, and the terms of your actual contract.
> — Original poster

> If several offerors ask the same question, that’s usually a pretty good sign the section was not as clear as we thought.
> — Commenter

### Sources
- [COs/KOs: What mistakes do you see contractors make over and over?](https://www.reddit.com/r/1102/comments/1wh9r5t/coskos_what_mistakes_do_you_see_contractors_make) - reddit-1102