48 CFR 232.072-2 – Appropriate information
(a) The contracting officer shall obtain the type and depth of financial and other information that is required to establish a contractor’s financial capability or disclose a contractor’s financial condition. While the contracting officer should not request information that is not necessary for protection for the Government’s interests, the contracting officer must insist upon obtaining the information that is necessary. The unwillingness or inability of a contractor to present reasonably requested information in a timely manner, especially information that a prudent business person would be expected to have and to use in the professional management of a business, may be a material fact in the determination of the contractor’s responsibility and prospects for contract completion.
Terms Used In 48 CFR 232.072-2
- Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
- Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
- Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
- Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
(b) The contracting officer shall obtain the following information to the extent required to protect the Government’s interest. In addition, if the contracting officer concludes that information not listed in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(10) of this subsection is required to comply with 232.072-1, that information should be requested. The information must be for the person(s) who are legally liable for contract performance. If the contractor is not a corporation, the contracting officer shall obtain the required information for each individual/joint venturer/partner:
(1) Balance sheet and income statement—
(i) For the current fiscal year (interim);
(ii) For the most recent fiscal year and, preferably, for the 2 preceding fiscal years. These should be certified by an independent public accountant or by an appropriate officer of the firm; and
(iii) Forecasted for each fiscal year for the remainder of the period of contract performance.
(2) Summary history of the contractor and its principal managers, disclosing any previous insolvencies—corporate or personal, and describing its products or services.
(3) Statement of all affiliations disclosing—
(i) Material financial interests of the contractor;
(ii) Material financial interests in the contractor;
(iii) Material affiliations of owners, officers, directors, major stockholders; and
(iv) The major stockholders if the contractor is not a widely-traded, publicly-held corporation.
(4) Statement of all forms of compensation to each officer, manager, partner, joint venturer, or proprietor, as appropriate—
(i) Planned for the current year;
(ii) Paid during the past 2 years; and
(iii) Deferred to future periods.
(5) Business base and forecast that—
(i) Shows, by significant markets, existing contracts and outstanding offers, including those under negotiation; and
(ii) Is reconcilable to indirect cost rate projections.
(6) Cash forecast for the duration of the contract (see 232.072-3).
(7) Financing arrangement information that discloses—
(i) Availability of cash to finance contract performance;
(ii) Contractor’s exposure to financial crisis from creditor’s demands;
(iii) Degree to which credit security provisions could conflict with Government title terms under contract financing;
(iv) Clearly stated confirmations of credit with no unacceptable qualifications;
(v) Unambiguous written agreement by a creditor if credit arrangements include deferred trade payments or creditor subordinations/repayment suspensions.
(8) Statement of all state, local, and Federal tax accounts, including special mandatory contributions, e.g., environmental superfund.
(9) Description and explanation of the financial effect of issues such as—
(i) Leases, deferred purchase arrangements, or patent or royalty arrangements;
(ii) Insurance, when relevant to the contract;
(iii) Contemplated capital expenditures, changes in equity, or contractor debt load;
(iv) Pending claims either by or against the contractor;
(v) Contingent liabilities such as guarantees, litigation, environmental, or product liabilities;
(vi) Validity of accounts receivable and actual value of inventory, as assets; and
(vii) Status and aging of accounts payable.
(10) Significant ratios such as—
(i) Inventory to annual sales;
(ii) Inventory to current assets;
(iii) Liquid assets to current assets;
(iv) Liquid assets to current liabilities;
(v) Current assets to current liabilities; and
(vi) Net worth to net debt.