Overview
This section defines the scope of FAR Subpart 4.8, which establishes the lifecycle management standards for all government contract files.
Key Rules
- Establishment: Outlines the requirements for creating the official record of a procurement action.
- Maintenance: Sets the standards for organizing, updating, and preserving documentation during the life of the contract.
- Disposition: Dictates the procedures for the retirement, archiving, and eventual destruction of contract records after the period of performance ends.
Practical Implications
- Ensures a standardized "paper trail" (or digital equivalent) for every acquisition, which is essential for audit readiness and legal defense.
- Mandates that Contracting Officers maintain accountability for the documentation that justifies the expenditure of taxpayer funds from inception through closeout.