CCR (Central Contractor Registration)

What is CCR (Central Contractor Registration)?

The Central Contractor Registration (CCR) was the primary database of vendor information for companies seeking to do business with the U.S. Federal Government. It served as a central repository for contractor data, ensuring that government agencies had access to accurate and up-to-date information. CCR was officially replaced by the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) in July 2012.

Definition

CCR was a mandatory registration for all businesses, organizations, and individuals wishing to be awarded federal contracts, basic agreements, basic ordering agreements, blanket purchase agreements, or even receive payments from the federal government. This registration process allowed the government to collect crucial information about potential contractors, including their legal business name, physical address, contact information, taxpayer identification number (TIN), electronic funds transfer (EFT) banking information, and representations and certifications related to various compliance matters. The legal basis for CCR stemmed from federal acquisition regulations requiring vendors to register before conducting business with the government. Its importance lay in enabling efficient procurement processes, ensuring accurate payments, and maintaining transparency in government contracting.

Key Points

• Primary Registration System: CCR served as the one-stop location for registering to do business with the federal government.
• Required for Award: Registration in CCR was a prerequisite for receiving contract awards and payments.
• Data Repository: It acted as a central repository of vendor information for government agencies.
• Superseded by SAM.gov: CCR is no longer in use and has been replaced by SAM.gov. Contractors now need to register in SAM.gov.

Practical Examples

1. Subcontracting Requirements: Even if a company was subcontracting to a prime contractor on a federal project, the subcontractor often needed to be registered in CCR (before 2012) and now SAM.gov.
2. Grant Recipients: Organizations receiving federal grants were required to register in CCR (before 2012) and now SAM.gov, even though they weren't technically "contractors."
3. Updating Information: Contractors were responsible for keeping their CCR profile (now SAM.gov) updated with accurate information, especially regarding changes in address, banking information, and points of contact.