Federal Contracting Acronym

KPI

Key Performance Indicator

Plain-English definition

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is a core federal acquisition term used in regulations, solicitations, and contract administration. Program management vocabulary supports planning, reporting, and delivery on complex efforts. It appears in QASPs, CDRLs, and performance reviews.

Why it matters

Teams that understand Key Performance Indicator (KPI) avoid misinterpreting solicitations, contract clauses, and compliance obligations. It supports clearer bid/no-bid decisions and cleaner proposal compliance.

Where you will see it

Federal notices on SAM.gov, contract attachments, registration systems, audit requests, and internal capture/proposal documentation.

Example in context

When reviewing a solicitation, a contractor confirms how KPI is used in the notice, whether related clauses apply, and which internal subject-matter experts should validate the response.

Related acronyms

Source / references

FAR Part 37

Last updated September 19, 2026

Back to acronym directory