By Gloria Larkin, President of TargetGov, and Kiyon Brandford, Senior Consultant, TargetGov

In a recent TargetGov CPARS study, it was shown that CPARS is trending with a strong rise in middle-ground Satisfactory ratings, while the preferred Very Good and Excellent ratings show troubling steady drops over the last ten years. This is particularly frustrating for any businesses that have fought to participate as prime contractors in CPARS, striving to do their best and still only receiving a Satisfactory rating as a result.

Over the past decade, the total number of graded contracts in CPARS has shown a strong upward growth, from 643,000 performance ratings recorded in 2015 to over 1.7 million assessments so far in the fiscal year to date 2024 (Fig. 3). This increase of over 170% clearly indicates the government’s commitment to evaluating the performance of awarded contracts and establish credibility with performance reviews that can influence future decisions.

However, while the total number of ratings has increased dramatically, the details of those ratings are troubling for contractors performing the contracts and who expect these ratings to support their actual performance and bolster winning future contracts.

The annual distribution of contract ratings across all the business sectors shows an overall dramatic increase in the percentage of Satisfactory ratings by about 12 percentage points and a troubling decline in the exceptional rating category by 8 percentage points between 2015 and 2024 (Fig. 4).

Does this mean the quality of the work and other factors measured have actually decreased, or has the manner of determining and recording these ratings caused a glut of satisfactory ratings that plagues contractors’ past performance records?

Gloria Larkin

President & CEO, TargetGov
Nationally recognized author and speaker
Creator of the Capability Statement

Gloria Larkin is the President and CEO of TargetGov, celebrating its 27th anniversary in 2024. TargetGov specializes in government contracting, business development, and marketing services, including the acclaimed FAST® Process and KickStart Program®. With clients winning over $20 billion in federal contracts, Gloria is a recognized expert whose insights have appeared in the Washington Post, INC Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal. She authored The Basic Guide to Government Contracting and co-authored The Veterans Business Guide. Gloria also serves as the Educational Foundation Board Chair Emeritus for WIPP.org and as the American Express National Procurement Adviser.

Kiyon Brandford

Senior Consultant, TargetGov

Kiyon Brandford is a Senior Consultant at TargetGov, where he specializes in government procurement, business development, and marketing strategies. He focuses on marketing tools and tactics, capability statements, and consulting services through the renowned FAST® Process and KickStart Program®. Before joining TargetGov, which celebrates its 27th anniversary in 2024, Kiyon gained valuable experience working on the Hill in the House of Representatives, mastering the intricacies of the Federal Government. His expertise has been pivotal in helping TargetGov’s clients secure over $20 billion in federal contracts in recent years.

TargetGov

Creator of the Capability Statement

TargetGov is a leading firm specializing in government contracting, business development, and marketing services. Celebrating 27 years of excellence in 2024, TargetGov offers innovative solutions, including the Federal Acceleration Strategies and Tactics (FAST®) Process and the KickStart Program®. With a proven track record of helping clients secure over $20 billion in federal contracts, TargetGov is dedicated to empowering businesses to navigate the complexities of government procurement and achieve success in the federal marketplace.