---
kind: "section"
citation: "48 C.F.R. § 4.801"
title: "48"
number: "4.801"
heading: "General."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/48/4.801"
---

# §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).

## Notes

### Amendments

[48 FR 42113, Sept. 19, 1983, as amended at 84 FR 19841, May 6, 2019]

### Authority

Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1121(b); 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 4 and 10 U.S.C. chapter 137 legacy provisions (see 10 U.S.C. 3016); and 51 U.S.C. 20113.

### Source

Source: 48 FR 42113, Sept. 19, 1983, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[48 FR 42113, Sept. 19, 1983, as amended at 84 FR 19841, May 6, 2019]