Point of Contact (POC)

Definition

Point of Contact (POC) is the designated person in any government or contractor organization responsible for day-to-day communication on a specific issue, program, or contract. On solicitations, the POC is the contracting officer or contract specialist listed on the cover sheet. On proposals, the contractor's POC is typically the capture or program manager. On performance, multiple POCs may exist: contractual (CO/ACO), technical (COR), program management, and executive sponsor.

Why It Matters

Clarifying the right POC for each issue prevents wasted effort and mis-directed escalations. Executives calling a COR about a contract modification create friction; subcontractors escalating past the prime's designated POC cause relationship damage. Mature capture and performance processes designate POC matrices by topic up front and keep them visible to all stakeholders.

Example

A contractor faces a potential delivery delay. Its PM escalates to the prime's PM, who calls the COR first, then loops in the ACO. Because the escalation followed the agreed POC matrix, a modification is in place within two weeks, with no surprised executives.

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