The Analysis of the Closeout Process and Recommendations for Reducing Backlog

Abstract

Each year, more contracts are added to the Department of Defense Virtual Contracting Enterprise (VCE) database as overaged contracts. The purpose of this research is to analyze the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for the contract closeout process. This research assesses U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports and evaluates a survey from a contracting agency to offer recommendations that would reduce the current contract closeout backlog and allow organizations to improve overall closeout rates. The primary question we addressed is, How can contracting agencies prepare and prioritize the number of overage contracts for closeouts? The secondary question is, How can ontracting agencies prevent a backlog of contracts requiring closeout requirements in the future? This report determined that the government does not provide the resources required to effectively manage the process of contract closeouts at an institutional level. The suggestions provided are intended to increase the prioritization of the contract closeout process while capitalizing on the limited tools and resources available.