A new federal database will help the government keep track of federal contractors, and give them the background they need to keep bad contractors out of the federal arena. The idea is to build on a handful of existing databases with new information provided by contracting officers--as well as suspension and debarment officials--according to an article in nextgov.com.

It's got some tough standards, too. Awardees with more than $10 million in current grants or contracts will have to supply data on any criminal, civil or administrative proceeding dating back three years. Federal officials estimate that 5,000 contractors each year will file reports.

The database is expected to be used by federal contracting officers when conducting a past performance evaluation for any contracts worth more than $500,000, and will be private and accessible only to federal officials.

Will it cut down on bad contract awards? The hope is that it will do a lot to make sure contracts are clean and the contractors do not have bad reputations or backgrounds that would make it hard to carry out a government job.

For more on contractor databases:
- check out this nextgov.com article