DOD Audits Identify Evaluation Errors, Shows Need For Proactive Contractor Diligence

On May 9, the Department of Defense Inspector General ("DoD IG") released Audit Report No. DODIG-2017-081, Summary of Audits on Assessing Contractor Performance: Additional Guidance and System Enhancements Needed (the "Audit Report"). The audit identified weaknesses within the DoD's contracting officials' preparation of contractor Performance Assessment Reports ("PARs") and potential improvements to the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System ("CPARS").

Because of insufficient training, lack of internal controls, and ineffective procedures for timeliness and PAR review, DoD contracting officials sometimes failed to: (i) write sufficient narratives to defend past performance ratings; (ii) properly rate past performance evaluation factors; and (iii) prepare sufficient contract effort descriptions.