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Home/Glossary/Past Performance Evaluation
Process

Past Performance Evaluation

Definition

Past Performance Evaluation (FAR 15.305(a)(2)) is the government's assessment of a contractor's record on prior contracts. Evaluators review CPARS ratings, references, and other performance data. Relevance (similar size, scope, complexity) and recency (typically last 3-5 years) matter most. A "neutral" rating is assigned to offerors with no relevant past performance — which is neither favorable nor unfavorable.

Why does Past Performance Evaluation matter?

is a process 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

Past Performance Evaluation is a step or workflow in the federal-procurement lifecycle. Knowing where Past Performance Evaluation fits in the larger acquisition arc — from market research through award through performance — helps contractors time their engagement, identify the right contracting officials, and avoid showing up too late to influence the requirement. Many proposal failures trace back to misunderstanding when Past Performance Evaluation occurs, who owns it, and what artifacts it produces. The related terms above name the adjacent process steps that most commonly precede or follow Past Performance Evaluation, and tracking those transitions over time is one of the more reliable ways to build pipeline visibility ahead of formal solicitations.

What can I do?

FollowSave

Route: Orientation path

  1. 1.Discover — you are here
  2. 2.Decide — follow to monitor
  3. 3.Act — follow to monitor
No live signal yet — actions derived from family registry.

Related Terms

FARCPARS

More process terms

RFIRFPRFQIFBSOWPWSSOOSBIRGrantProtestCUIBAA

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Past Performance Evaluation in government contracting?▾
Past Performance Evaluation (FAR 15.305(a)(2)) is the government's assessment of a contractor's record on prior contracts. Evaluators review CPARS ratings, references, and other performance data. Relevance (similar size, scope, complexity) and recency (typically last 3-5 years) matter most. A "neutral" rating is assigned to offerors with no relevant past performance — which is neither favorable nor unfavorable.
Why is Past Performance Evaluation important for government contractors?▾
Past Performance Evaluation is a procurement process or procedure. Understanding the federal acquisition process helps contractors submit compliant proposals and navigate the contracting lifecycle.

Find Past Performance Evaluation-related opportunities

Search active federal contracts and solicitations related to Past Performance Evaluation on Bureauify.

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