What is Past Performance?
A contractor's record of performing on previous contracts, used by agencies as a key evaluation factor in awarding new contracts.
Past performance refers to a contractor's track record of delivering on previous government and commercial contracts. It is one of the most important evaluation factors in federal procurement — agencies use it to assess the likelihood that a contractor will successfully perform the work.
Past performance is evaluated based on quality of work, schedule adherence, cost control, management effectiveness, and customer satisfaction. Agencies review data from the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), where contracting officers rate contractor performance on completed contracts.
For new businesses without federal past performance, agencies may consider commercial contracts, subcontracting work, or performance by key personnel. However, a lack of past performance cannot be rated negatively — it must be treated as a "neutral" factor under federal acquisition regulations.
Related Terms
A solicitation type used when the government wants to evaluate technical approaches and past performance alongside price.
SolicitationA formal request issued by a federal agency inviting businesses to submit proposals or bids for a contract.
Capability StatementA concise marketing document used by contractors to summarize their qualifications, experience, and differentiators for government buyers.