U.S. with certain exceptions), or up to $6.5M for commercial items/services. Under FAR Part 13, contracting officers are not required to use FAR Part 15 processes or follow the publication requirements of FAR Part 5, however they MUST create their own processes to follow. Vendor past performance is generally included as a source selection criteria. It is important to include a requirement for "recent and relevant" past performance. Inadequate SSCs renders the best work statement and CLIN worthless. Metrics/performance measures A metric is a meaningful measurement taken over a period of time that communicates vital information about a process or activity, leading to fact-based decisions. Focus on where things go bad – not resource effective to measure everything. Instead, select the critical few metrics for mission essential processes, process that have historically experienced chronic problems or process choke points and monitor them. Characteristics of a good metric: Meaningful to the customer Simple, understandable, logical and repeatable Shows a trend Clearly defined Data that's economical to collect Timely Drives appropriate action (this is most important feature of a good metric) Shows how organizational goals and objectives are being met through tasks and processes Contract management Contract administration Contract administration tasks can include: Payments (prompt payment essential) – frequently Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) is used. Modifications and Adjustments, typically done using a changes clause Includes Requests for Equitable Adjustments (can process under FAR 49.002(c)) (these are essentially modifications under the applicable contract changes clause e.g., FAR 52.212-4 clause) Terminations for cause or convenience – for commercial items, you use the terminations clauses in the 52.212-4 clause. Bid protests, ratifications and contract claims See the DCMA Handbook for more information on contract administration. Requests for Equitable Adjustments Requests for Equitable Adjustments (REAs) are modifications of the contract that were not done formally or properly. REAs are frequently based on the changes clause. They typically occur when new work is added or a change in current work is ordered, perhaps by the contracting officer, without the required documentation. Changed circumstances and equity are possible justifications for a contractor to ask for a REA. Contractors can ask for delay damages arising from contract changes in REAs. The burden of showing evidence of increased costs lies with the contractor. Special rules exist for entitlement to whether or not contractor is entitled to profit in addition to the actual costs they incurred, especially in the cases of