The DLA wants more than the lowest price

When it comes to awarding contracts, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) doesn’t just look at price. They want confidence in the suppliers they choose. That confidence is built on something called the SPRS score.

What is the SPRS score?

SPRS stands for Supplier Performance Risk System. Think of it as your credit score in government contracting. The higher it is, the more the DLA trusts you to fulfill contracts successfully.

When you first start, you’ll be considered “No Score” (grey). As you complete contracts, your score shifts based on your performance.

The color-coded scale runs from:

  • Grey – No score
  • Red – High risk
  • Yellow – Below average
  • Green – Good (where 70% of contractors land)
  • Purple – Very good
  • Blue – Excellent

Your goal is simple: get to green or better.

How is the SPRS score calculated?

Every contract you complete becomes a data point. The system looks at:

  • Quality of items delivered
  • On-time vs. late delivery
  • Cancellations
  • Corrective actions taken against you
  • Suspected counterfeit or quality issues

The more positive performance you build, the stronger your score becomes.

Why SPRS matters to the DLA

When awarding contracts, the DLA considers three things:

  1. Price: Are you competitive?
  2. Delivery schedule: Can you meet the timeline?
  3. Confidence in you as a supplier: Heavily influenced by your SPRS score.

In short, a strong SPRS score can tip the scales in your favor, even if you don’t always have the absolute lowest price.

What if you don’t have a score yet?

Every contractor starts with "No Score". To build one, you’ll need to win and complete contracts.

In the beginning, one way to get traction is to bid lower to make yourself a safer risk for the government. It’s not a forever strategy, but it can help you win your first few awards. From there, as you deliver successfully, your score improves and you’ll be able to compete for higher-margin contracts.

Building confidence in delivery

Confidence in delivery isn’t just about quoting fast timelines. It’s about proving that you can deliver what you promise, on time and with quality.

Every contract you win is like a credit history entry. Build it smart, and over time, your SPRS score becomes your reputation.

Key takeaway

The SPRS score is your trust score in government contracting. Focus on quality, honest lead times, and consistent delivery. Bid strategically to build your first wins, and over time, your score will rise to green and beyond. That’s when higher-value, higher-margin contracts open up.

Want to track opportunities that help you build your SPRS score?
GovScraper pulls and organizes the newest RFQs, helping you bid more often, win more consistently, and build a track record the DLA can trust.


Book a demo today to start building your government contracting “credit score.”