CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System)

The federal government's official system for documenting and accessing contractor past performance evaluations on federal contracts.

The Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) is the official U.S. government database of contractor performance evaluations. Federal agencies use it to document how well contractors performed on completed contracts, and contracting officers use the data to evaluate past performance as part of source selections.

How CPARS Works

For most federal contracts above the reporting threshold, the Assessing Official (typically the COR or contracting officer) prepares a periodic performance assessment covering technical quality, schedule performance, cost management, business relations, and management of small business subcontracting. The contractor receives the draft assessment, has 60 days to review it and submit comments, and then the Assessing Official finalizes the rating.

Rating Scale

Performance is rated on a five-point adjectival scale: Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, and Unsatisfactory. An Exceptional rating requires demonstrated performance that significantly exceeds contract requirements in a way that was beneficial to the government. A Satisfactory rating reflects performance that meets contract requirements. Marginal and Unsatisfactory ratings can seriously harm future proposal scores.

Access and Confidentiality

CPARS records are accessible to government source selection officials through a secure portal. Contractors can view their own records. Records are not publicly available, though contractors can share them selectively. CPARS data is retained for six years after contract completion.

Protecting Your CPARS Record

Actively managing customer relationships throughout contract performance is the most important protection for CPARS ratings. Proactively communicating performance risks, addressing issues before the COR escalates them, and ensuring the Assessing Official has accurate documentation of accomplishments before the assessment is written are all essential practices. If a draft assessment contains factual errors, the contractor's written comments should document the corrections clearly with supporting evidence.