Contractor Records Retention

13140 - Contractor Records Retention (Rev. 1, 05-23-03) In addition to SOW requirements, the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) require that all other documents (e.g., outreach activities) related to contracts entered into by negotiation be retained for 3 years after final payment under the contract. The Comptroller General of the United States or duly authorized representatives from the General Accounting Office (GAO) have access to and the right to examine directly any of the contractor's pertinent books, documents, papers, or other records involving transactions related to the contract. For any subcontracts under a negotiated contract, the GAO has access to and the right to examine any of the subcontractor's pertinent books, documents, papers, or other records involving transactions related to the subcontract for 3 years after final payment under the subcontract. Subcontracting records do not include purchase orders not exceeding $10,000 and subcontracts or purchase orders for public utility services.