CPARS Guide 2025: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System
Complete guide to CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System). Learn how CPARS ratings work, how to respond to evaluations, and strategies for improving your ratings.
Quick Answer: What is CPARS?
CPARS is the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting Systemwhere the government records evaluations of contractor performance. CPARS ratings are used in future source selections to assess your past performance. Ratings range from Exceptional to Unsatisfactory across multiple evaluation areas.
What is CPARS?
CPARS is the official government system for documenting contractor performance on federal contracts. Agencies input evaluations, and the data feeds into PPIRS where it's used for source selection decisions.
When CPARS Evaluations Occur
- →Annually - During multi-year contracts
- →Final - At contract completion
- →Interim - After significant milestones
CPARS Evaluation Areas
Six Evaluation Areas
Quality
Technical performance and quality of deliverables
Schedule
Timeliness of deliveries and milestone completion
Cost Control
For cost-type contracts, ability to control costs
Management
Business relations and management effectiveness
Regulatory Compliance
Compliance with contract terms and regulations
Small Business
Meeting small business subcontracting goals
CPARS Rating Scale
Exceptional
Performance significantly exceeds requirements
Very Good
Performance exceeds some requirements
Satisfactory
Performance meets contract requirements
Marginal
Performance does not meet some requirements
Unsatisfactory
Performance fails to meet contract requirements
Responding to CPARS Evaluations
You have 60 days to review and respond to CPARS evaluations. Your response becomes part of the permanent record.
Response Best Practices
Do
- • Respond professionally
- • Provide facts and documentation
- • Acknowledge valid concerns
- • Highlight corrective actions
Don't
- • Be defensive or argumentative
- • Attack the evaluator
- • Make excuses without solutions
- • Ignore the evaluation
Strategies for Better CPARS Ratings
Proactive Approaches
Communicate Regularly
Keep the COR informed of progress and issues
Document Everything
Maintain records that support your performance
Address Issues Early
Don't let problems fester—resolve quickly
Exceed Expectations
Satisfactory is baseline—aim for Very Good or Exceptional
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do CPARS ratings stay in the system?
CPARS evaluations are retained for 6 years after contract completion. They remain accessible to contracting officers evaluating your proposals during that time.
Can I dispute a CPARS rating?
You can provide a written response that becomes part of the record. If you believe the rating is factually inaccurate, request review by the reviewing official.
What if I don't receive a CPARS notification?
Proactively check for evaluations. Contact your contracting officer to ensure your CPARS focal point information is current.
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