Contract Closeout
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Overview
Once a contract has come to term, it's period of performance is over, and all actions such as product or service delivery are complete, then, a contract must be administratively closed out. Administratively closing a contract makes sure that certain actions have been completed by each party. A contractor must complete a contract closeout package, and a contracting officer should issue a final modification to the contract. That modification is a modification to administratively close the contract.
Time Periods for Closing a Contract[1]
Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, time standards for closing out contract files are as follows:
- (1) Simplified Acquisition Procedures - should be considered closed when the contracting officer receives evidence of receipt of property and final payment, unless otherwise specified by agency regulations.
- (2) Files for firm-fixed-price contracts[2], should be closed within 6 months after the date on which the contracting officer receives evidence of physical completion.
- (3) Files for contracts requiring settlement of indirect cost rates should be closed within 36 months of the month in which the contracting officer receives evidence of physical completion.
- (4) Files for all other contracts should be closed within 20 months of the month in which the contracting officer receives evidence of physical completion.
A contract file shall not be closed if—
The contract is in litigation or under appeal, or in the case of a termination, all termination actions have not been completed.[3]
When is a Contract Physically Completed[4]
Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a contract is considered to be physically completed when—
The Contract has come to term
- (i) The contractor has completed the required deliveries and the Government has inspected and accepted the supplies;
- (ii) The contractor has performed all services and the Government has accepted these services; and
- (iii) All option provisions, if any, have expired; or
Contract Termination
- The Government has given the contractor a notice of complete contract termination.
Rental, Use and Storage Agreements
- Rental, Use, and Storage Agreements are physically completed when:
- (1) The Government has given the contractor a notice of complete contract termination; or
- (2) The contract period has expired.</ref> [5]
Closing Flexibly Priced Contracts
FAR 4.804-5 Procedures for Closing Out Contract Files
When closing out contract files the contracting officer shall use the closeout procedures at 4.804-5. However, these closeout actions may be modified to reflect the extent of administration that has been performed. Quick closeout procedures (see 42.708) should be used, when appropriate, to reduce administrative costs and to enable de-obligation of excess funds.[6]
