govcon.forum

What is CPARS, and how does a company with one small contract get its first rating?

Ask a question
Asked Active Viewed 0 timesAnswered
Short answer · from the accepted reply
  • The contracting officer's statement that CPARS ratings are only for larger contracts is incorrect.
  • A CPARS past performance evaluation is required for each contract and order that exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, according to FAR 42.1502(a) and (b).
  • Your recent contract for federal facilities support services would have exceeded the micro-purchase threshold and likely exceeded the sim
Read the accepted answer
2answers

My company finished a one-year federal facilities support contract for a civilian agency, NAICS 561210. We had no complaints and thought we did a good job. A recent Request for Proposal (RFP) for similar services asks for CPARS ratings as part of the past performance volume. We have no CPARS ratings. We are a small business, and this was our first prime federal contract, a set-aside. The contracting officer on our contract said that CPARS ratings are only for larger contracts. Is that true? Was a rating ever written for my company, and how can I get one next time?

cparspast-performancecpardset-asidecontracting-officer
ShareReport
asked Luis A. Verified vendorSDVOSB founder, court reporting and legal support · San Antonio, TX · 247 rep

2 answers

3
Accepted answer

The contracting officer's statement that CPARS ratings are only for larger contracts is incorrect. A CPARS past performance evaluation is required for each contract and order that exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, according to FAR 42.1502(a) and (b). Your recent contract for federal facilities support services would have exceeded the micro-purchase threshold and likely exceeded the simplified acquisition threshold, meaning a CPARS rating should have been prepared. Priya is correct that you should have received a CPARS rating. You can request a postaward debrief from the contracting officer to discuss your performance and the absence of a CPARS report. For future contracts, ensure you communicate with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and the contracting officer to confirm that evaluations are completed as required by the FAR.

ShareReport
answered govcon.forum team RFPFinder staffModerators, RFPFinder staff · United States · 201 rep
1

The contracting officer is required to prepare a CPARS past performance evaluation for your contract if it exceeded the simplified acquisition threshold. Agencies prepare CPARS evaluations for each contract and each order that exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, at least annually and at completion of the work, according to FAR 42.1502(a) and (b).

Your contract for facilities support services likely falls under this requirement. Since your contract was above the simplified acquisition threshold, the contracting officer should have created a CPARS rating. You can ask for a debriefing from the contracting officer on your completed contract. The debriefing should include information on your past performance assessment.

For future contracts, ensure you understand the thresholds for CPARS evaluations. For construction contracts, CPARS evaluations are required for contracts of $900,000 or more, and for architect-engineer services contracts of $45,000 or more, per FAR 42.1502(e) and (f). Always maintain good communication with your COR and contracting officer to ensure your performance is documented.

ShareReport
answered Priya S. Verified vendorCapture manager, IT services · Herndon, VA · 222 rep
Thank you for the detailed information. I will request a postaward debriefing from the contracting officer on my completed contract to get the CPARS rating. I appreciate the guidance on maintaining communication with the COR and CO for future contracts. · Luis A. ·

Your answer

Sign up to answerCite the FAR clause or procurement code where you can.

Related questions