[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 48, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 48CFR4.801]

[Page 72]
 
            TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM
 
                CHAPTER 1--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION
 
PART 4_ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart 4.8_Government Contract Files
 
Sec.  4.801  General.

    (a) The head of each office performing contracting, contract 
administration, or paying functions shall establish files containing the 
records of all contractual actions.
    (b) The documentation in the files (see 4.803) shall be sufficient 
to constitute a complete history of the transaction for the purpose of--
    (1) Providing a complete background as a basis for informed 
decisions at each step in the acquisition process;
    (2) Supporting actions taken;
    (3) Providing information for reviews and investigations; and
    (4) Furnishing essential facts in the event of litigation or 
congressional inquiries.
    (c) The files to be established include--
    (1) A file for cancelled solicitations;
    (2) A file for each contract; and
    (3) A file such as a contractor general file, containing documents 
relating--for example--to (i) no specific contract, (ii) more than one 
contract, or (iii) the contractor in a general way (e.g., contractor's 
management systems, past performance, or capabilities).