48 CFR § 3401.601 - 3401.601 General.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t48/s3401.601"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "48 CFR § 3401.601 - 3401.601 General."
title_number: 48
title_name: "Federal Acquisition Regulations System"
section_number: "3401.601"
section_name: "3401.601 General."
chapter_number: 34
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ACQUISITION REGULATION"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL"
part_number: "3401"
part_name: "ED ACQUISITION REGULATION SYSTEM"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 301 and 20 U.S.C. 1018a."
regulatory_source: "88 FR 60542, Sept. 1, 2023, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "3401"
---
# 3401.601 3401.601 General.
(a) Contracting authority is vested in the Secretary. The Secretary has delegated this authority to the CAO. The Secretary has also delegated contracting authority to the SPE, giving the SPE broad authority to perform functions dealing with the management direction of the entire Department's procurement system, including implementation of its unique procurement policies, regulations, and standards. Limitations to the extent of this authority and successive delegations are set forth in the respective memorandums of delegations.