Despite its importance, past performance information (PPI) is poorly defined in the FAR.  FAR 42.1501 uses vague, open-ended phrases like “reasonable and cooperative behavior” and “business-like concern for interest of customers”.  OFPP and DOD have attempted to develop clearer guidelines.  For example OPFF recommends the following elements:

Quality of Product or Service – looks to contractors’ compliance with contract requirements, accuracy of reports, appropriateness of personnel and technical excellence.
Cost Control – operates within budget, submits current accurate and complete billing, and considers the relationship between negotiated costs to actual costs.
Timeliness of Performance – interim milestones are met, reliable and responsive to technical direction, completes contracts on time including wrap-up and contract administration.
Business Relations – effective management, business-like correspondence, prompt notification of problems, is reasonable-cooperative-flexible and proactive.

DOD has recommended similar factors and has organized its activities into four business sectors – systems services, services, information technology and operations support.  As broad as these appear, they are considered only suggestive for agencies and components of DOD.  A recent protest asserting DOD guidelines were not followed was rejected on grounds they are only internal matters not subject to protest.

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