Coming to the Web: Federal Contract Document The Obama administration is gearing up to post federal contract documents online for public viewing. The Federal Acquisition Regulation councils are asking for information on how to do it while protecting classified data and contractors’ proprietary information. In a notice of proposed rulemaking in the May 13 Federal Register, the councils said, “The councils anticipate that, in the future, a requirement to post on-line the text of contracts and task and delivery orders will be instituted.” The notice cited several administration memos and directives aimed at openness and transparency in government. While he was a senator, President Obama sponsored legislation that would have required contracts to be publicly available. Today the full text of contract documents generally can be obtained only through a Freedom of Information Act request. Contractor groups have argued against publication of the documents on the grounds that a company’s secrets would be open to competitors. “The Councils are particularly interested in suggestions that will facilitate uniform, consistent processing methods that are fair and equitable as well as cost effective and efficient, while at the same time simplifying access to acquisitions once posted,” the notice said. The notice is FAR Case 2009-004. Comments are due July 12.