Which of the following is NOT a duty of the Contracting Officer?

Conducting performance evaluations for contractors is generally not a duty of the Contracting Officer. Instead, this task typically falls under the responsibilities of contract specialists or program managers who focus on the oversight and assessment of contractor performance. The role of the Contracting Officer primarily revolves around the procurement process, which includes duties such as preparing solicitations and contracts, handling protests related to the contracting process, and releasing draft requests for proposals to gather feedback from the industry. This delineation of responsibilities ensures that the Contracting Officer can focus on the legality and compliance aspects of contracts, while others can concentrate on performance metrics and evaluations. Understanding this division of roles helps clarify the broader structure and operational workflow within contracting frameworks.