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Home/Glossary/Cost Analysis
Metric

Cost Analysis

Definition

Cost Analysis (FAR 15.404-1(c)) is the review and evaluation of each cost element in a contractor's proposal to determine if costs are allowable, allocable, and reasonable. Required when certified cost or pricing data is submitted. Includes evaluation of direct labor, materials, overhead, G&A, and profit.

Why does Cost Analysis matter?

is a metric concept federal contractors and grant writers run into across solicitations, regulations, and award filings

Source: Bureauify editorial review·Last updated 2026-06-06 by Bureauify

Where this matters in federal contracting

Cost Analysis is a measurement used in federal contract evaluation, source selection, oversight, or performance management. Understanding Cost Analysis matters because evaluators use metrics like it to compare proposals quantitatively, score past performance, set award-fee outcomes, and decide who gets the next option year. Contractors who track how Cost Analysis is calculated — and what target values look like in their NAICS or service area — write proposals that are concrete and defensible instead of generic and easily dismissed. Cost Analysis also has implications for contract administration: getting the calculation methodology wrong post-award is a common source of disputes and contracting-officer modifications. Pair Cost Analysis with the related metrics above to see how the federal government composes evaluation criteria into source-selection narratives.

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Related Terms

FAR

More metric terms

ObligationCost RealismPrice ReasonablenessCost ReasonablenessPrice AnalysisShould CostProfit AnalysisODCPOPEVMNTEWBS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cost Analysis in government contracting?▾
Cost Analysis (FAR 15.404-1(c)) is the review and evaluation of each cost element in a contractor's proposal to determine if costs are allowable, allocable, and reasonable. Required when certified cost or pricing data is submitted. Includes evaluation of direct labor, materials, overhead, G&A, and profit.
Why is Cost Analysis important for government contractors?▾
Cost Analysis is a metric used to measure or evaluate aspects of government contracting. These metrics are important for proposal evaluation, past performance assessment, and contract management.

Find Cost Analysis-related opportunities

Search active federal contracts and solicitations related to Cost Analysis on Bureauify.

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