Contracting Authority- New Agency

Has anyone out there been apart of an Agency that obtained Contracting Authority for the first time? What is the process by which an Agency requests and receives Contracting Authority (links, guidance, etc)? What were some of the hiccups along the way? Advantanges/Disadvantages? Typical things new Contracting Activities screw up? What would your ideal "shell" of a Contracting Office look like? Thanks