Past Performance Guide 2025: PPIRS, CPARS & Winning Federal Contracts
Complete guide to past performance in government contracting. Learn about PPIRS, CPARS ratings, how past performance is evaluated, and strategies for new contractors without federal experience.
Quick Answer: What is Past Performance?
Past performance is a key evaluation factor in federal contracting that assesses how well you've performed on previous contracts. Your performance is recorded in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) and accessed through the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS). Strong past performance ratings are critical for winning competitive contracts.
What is Past Performance in Government Contracting?
Past performance refers to a contractor's record of conforming to contract requirements and meeting customer expectations. Federal agencies use past performance to predict how contractors will perform on future contracts.
Why Past Performance Matters
For Contractors
- • Major factor in source selection
- • Can outweigh price in evaluations
- • Determines competitive advantage
- • Affects subcontracting opportunities
For Government
- • Predicts future performance
- • Reduces contract risk
- • Holds contractors accountable
- • Documents performance history
What Gets Evaluated
PPIRS vs CPARS: Understanding the Systems
CPARS
Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - Where ratings are created and recorded:
- →Agencies enter evaluations
- →Contractors can review and respond
- →Annual and final evaluations
- →60-day comment period for contractors
PPIRS
Past Performance Information Retrieval System - Where ratings are accessed:
- →Consolidates data from multiple sources
- →Used by contracting officers
- →Includes CPARS, ACASS, FAPIIS
- →Searchable by company name or UEI
Other Information Sources
How Past Performance is Evaluated
Contracting officers evaluate past performance using specific criteria and determine the relevancy of your prior experience to the current requirement.
Relevancy Determination
Very Relevant
Previous work nearly identical in scope, complexity, and magnitude
Relevant
Previous work similar in scope, complexity, or magnitude
Somewhat Relevant
Previous work with some similarity but notable differences
Not Relevant
No meaningful similarity to current requirement
Evaluation Factors
Recency
- • Most recent 3 years weighted heavily
- • Older work may be less relevant
- • Ongoing contracts included
Similarity
- • Similar dollar value
- • Similar complexity
- • Similar scope of work
CPARS Rating Categories
Contractors receive ratings in each evaluation area on a five-point scale. Understanding what each rating means helps you work toward better evaluations.
Exceptional
Performance that significantly exceeds contract requirements. The contractor accomplished goals with few minor problems requiring no corrective action.
Very Good
Performance that exceeds some contract requirements. Minor problems were resolved without government intervention.
Satisfactory
Performance that meets contract requirements. Minor problems may have occurred but were resolved with minimal government involvement.
Marginal
Performance that does not meet some requirements. Problems required government intervention and corrective action.
Unsatisfactory
Performance that fails to meet contract requirements. Serious problems occurred that the contractor could not or would not correct.
Past Performance for New Contractors
New contractors face the challenge of not having federal past performance. However, the FAR provides that lack of past performance cannot be used as a disadvantage.
Building Past Performance
Start Small
Pursue micro-purchases and small contracts to build initial record
Subcontract
Work as subcontractor on larger contracts to gain federal experience
Use Commercial Experience
Similar commercial work can be cited as relevant experience
State/Local Work
State and local government contracts demonstrate capability
Joint Ventures
Partner with experienced firms to leverage their past performance
Neutral Rating Protection
Per FAR 15.305(a)(2), offerors without relevant past performance shall not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably. They receive a "neutral" rating, which means lack of past performance alone cannot eliminate you from competition.
Improving Your Past Performance Ratings
During Contract Performance
- ✓Communicate proactively with COR
- ✓Document everything in writing
- ✓Address problems immediately
- ✓Meet or exceed all deadlines
- ✓Submit deliverables on time
During Evaluation
- →Review evaluations within 30 days
- →Provide factual responses to concerns
- →Document corrective actions taken
- →Request review of inaccurate ratings
- →Highlight exceptional achievements
Responding to Negative Ratings
You have the right to respond to CPARS evaluations. A well-crafted response can provide important context for future contracting officers.
Do
- • Stay professional and factual
- • Provide supporting documentation
- • Acknowledge issues and explain resolution
Don't
- • Be defensive or argumentative
- • Blame the government
- • Ignore the evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do past performance ratings stay in the system?
CPARS evaluations are retained for 6 years after contract completion. However, most agencies focus on the most recent 3 years of performance when evaluating proposals.
Can I see my own past performance ratings?
Yes. Contractors can access their CPARS evaluations through the system. You'll receive notification when a new evaluation is entered and have 60 days to provide comments.
What if I disagree with a rating?
Submit your response within the 60-day comment period. If you believe the rating is factually inaccurate, you can request a review by the reviewing official. The agency must consider your comments but is not required to change the rating.
Does subcontract work count as past performance?
Yes—subcontract work can be cited as relevant past performance. Be sure to document your specific role, scope of work, and outcomes. You may need to provide prime contractor contact information as a reference.
How do I request a past performance reference?
Contact your former government program manager or contracting officer representative (COR) before listing them as a reference. Provide context about the proposal and remind them of your work together.
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