Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System
Effective October 1, 2010, the Social Security Administration (SSA) utilizes the Department of Defense (DoD) Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) for collection of contractor Past Performance Information as required by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 42.15.
CPARS is a web-enabled application that collects and manages a library of automated contractor report cards. A report card assesses a contractor’s performance and provides a record, both positive and negative, on a given contract for a specific period (typically one year). Each report card is based on objective facts and is supported by program and contract management data. Use of CPARS promotes report card consistency, increases data integrity, and motivates improved contractor performance.
CPARS employs an electronic workflow allowing government officials to evaluate and rate a contractor’s performance on a given contract for a specified period. CPARS also allows contractors to electronically submit comments regarding the Government’s assessment and indicate concurrence or non-concurrence with the overall evaluation. The CPARS process includes an electronic “check-and-balance” where an individual one level above the Contracting Officer (CPARS uses the term Reviewing Official) reviews each Government-Contractor disagreement to ensure the report reflects a fair evaluation.
Interim and final contractor performance evaluations are prepared on contracts, orders, and agreements in accordance with FAR Subpart 42.15. Interim and final evaluations will be provided to the Contractor as soon as practicable after completion of the evaluation. The Contractor will be permitted 30 days to submit comments, rebutting statements, or additional information. The ultimate conclusion of the performance evaluation is a decision of the contracting agency. Copies of the evaluation(s), contractor response(s), and review comments, if any, will be retained as part of the contract file, and may be used to support future award decisions.
When SSA completes an interim or final contractor performance evaluation, the contractor will receive a system-generated email indicating an action to view and comment on the evaluation. Only the contractor representative who receives the email has access to the evaluation. In order to access the evaluation and respond, contractors must provide contact information of the contractor representative to their Contracting Officer.
The CPARS website is https://www.cpars.gov/. Under the CPARS logo, the “CPARS Menu” provides a link to “ FAQs ” and “Guidance,” which is where contractors can obtain a CPARS User Manual .
Please contact the CPARS Customer Support Desk at (207)438-1690 or send an email to SSA’s CPARS Focal Point, Kimberly Strickland.