in compliance with the contract and satisfied with the ongoing process. The process of monitoring contractor performance doesn't start upon contract execution, but rather starts during the contract write-up and Request For Information (RFI)/Request For Proposals (RFP) process, before a contractor is even identified. Past performance metrics can be brought in to understand where the contractor is coming from and what they do well and what may require closer coordination and monitoring. Proper planning must occur to utilize past performance properly in the contract selection process. Additionally, the Statement of Work (SOW) can be drawn up to ensure performance metrics are properly defined and that all parties understand what is expected, what methods will be used to monitor compliance, and what positive and negative impacts can occur for compliance and noncompliance. This allows the ability to minimize misunderstandings and conflicts, while ensuring deliverables meet the client, user, and contractors planned requirements.
             Measuring past performance can be an "indicator of the likelihood that the offerer will successfully perform a contract to be awarded by that official (BEST PRACTICES FOR PAST PERFORMANCE, 2000)." Additionally, letting a contractor know that past performance will be used and that performance measures will be enforced and used in future contract rewards can be a motivating tool for a contractor to maximize their performance. Gathering past performance can be a bit difficult, especially in the near-term, as many processes for this are non-standardized and manually handled. Surveys and other methods of gathering past performance, if not already on record, should be as simple, straightforward, and complete as possible. Adding complexity can cause confusion on both sides and can allow for proposals to be swayed by writing styles rather than on performance merits (BEST PRACTICES FOR PAST PERFORMANCE...