New Information Requirements for Government Contractors: FAR Amendments Implement New Contractor Database

Under new requirements effective April 22, government contractors must now submit to the government information regarding past criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings when bidding for a contract or grant. Along with other data, the reported information will be available for government review on a government database, which must be accessed by contracting officers prior to granting contracts or grants. Proposed legislation seeks to expand the scope of the available information further, including providing access to the database to all members of Congress.

Issued by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, the new requirements amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The amendments implement the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), a database designed to improve the government's ability to evaluate the business ethics and expected performance quality of prospective contractors,