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Past Performance That Scores
Recency, relevance, CPARS; how neutral ratings work for new entrants; choosing references
What wins points
Summarize recent, relevant contracts to demonstrate currency and capability as required by FAR 15.305.
What gets bids disqualified
Omitting the past‑performance section or submitting outdated/irrelevant contracts results in a non‑responsive offer.
Evaluator's view
Verify the solicitation’s Section L cites past performance; ensure each entry includes contract ID, dates, scope, and outcome.
Past Performance That Scores
What this is
A short, structured write‑up that helps a small‑business contractor summarize and present its past performance information so the government can evaluate it quickly and compliantly.
When you need it
Use for any negotiated, simplified acquisition or commercial award where the solicitation’s Section L asks for past‑performance evidence (often under “Evaluation Factors” or “Past Performance”). It is mandatory when the solicitation references FAR 15.305 or includes a Past Performance clause; optional but highly recommended for competitive bids.
How to fill it in
- Identify all contracts that are similar to the current requirement – federal, state, local, or private – that you performed within the last five years.
- For each contract record:
- solicitation number and agency (source)
- period of performance dates
- brief description of work performed
- performance rating (if applicable) or a concise narrative of outcomes
- Note any relevant issues (delays, cost overruns, deficiencies) and the corrective actions you took.
- For joint ventures, list past‑performance of each partner and indicate how the JV combines those records.
- Cite the source of each entry (contract file, SAM record, or public award notice).
- Review the solicitation’s language – it will tell you exactly what to include; check Section L for any required format or placeholders.
Template
**Past Performance Summary** [Contract #] – [Agency] Period: [Start – End] Scope: [Brief description] Performance Rating / Outcome: [Rating or narrative] Issues & Corrections (if any): [Description] Relevant to solicitation section: [L‑X.Y reference] ---
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Evaluate my draft →Repeat the block for each relevant contract. Keep the entire document to one page* if possible; use concise bullet points.
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