The records the law made you keep
General contractor record retention: what the FAR makes you keep
Builders who did federal work were made to keep books, documents and data for years after each job closed. That retained file is often the most complete record the firm holds.
Three years after final payment
FAR 4.703 has contractors make records available, including books, documents, accounting procedures and practices and other data regardless of type, for 3 years after final payment, or for the period the FAR sets for certain records, whichever ends first.
Source: FAR 4.703, contractor records retention
What the audit clause reaches
FAR 52.215-2 gives the Comptroller General access to the contractor's directly pertinent records on transactions related to the contract, and keeps records on terminated work available until 3 years after the final termination settlement.
Source: FAR 52.215-2, Audit and Records
Kept is not the same as yours
A record the law made the firm keep can still be one the contract gave the government rights in. Read both before a licence: our table puts the retention clauses beside the data rights clauses.