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Acquisition & Contracting Strategy & Leadership

The Great Clawback: Why 2026 Marks the End of 'Paper Performance'

2026 marks the end of 'paper performance' in defense health — the great clawback is coming for contractors who can't deliver.

Mary Womack January 6, 2026 5 min read

2026 marks the end of 'paper performance' in defense health — the great clawback is coming for contractors who can't deliver.

Mary's full LinkedIn post on this is here for readers who want the original.

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The BD and capture implications this article didn't cover:

  • ›The shift from paper performance to measured outcomes means your CPARS ratings are about to matter more than they have in a decade. If you have a marginal rating on an active contract, remediate it before the next evaluation period closes.
  • ›Evaluators on new defense health pursuits are being briefed to weight past performance evidence differently. Quantified outcomes (readiness rates, appointment access, clinical throughput) score higher than qualitative testimonials. Rewrite your past performance volume with numbers, not narratives.
  • ›The clawback risk is highest for firms on cost-plus contracts where deliverables have been loosely defined. If your current contract has vague acceptance criteria, tighten them proactively with the COR before the next option year.

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Mary Womack
Mary Womack

Federal health IT professional and founder of Mission Meets Tech. I write about what policy, procurement, and platform decisions actually mean for the people doing the work.

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