(a) This subpart prescribes procedures for safeguarding classified information required to be disclosed to contractors in connection with the solicitation of offers, and the award, performance, and termination of contracts.

(b) As used in this subpart, the term “Contractor(s)” means prospective contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.

(a) Contracting officers must recover classified information, unless it has been destroyed as provided in Section 7 of Chapter 5 of the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM). Information on NISPOM can be found at http://www.fas.org/sgp/library/nispom.htm.

(b) Contracting officers must ensure that classified information provided by the government is returned immediately after any of the following events:

(1) Bid opening or closing date for receipt of proposals by non-responding offerors.

(2) Contract award by unsuccessful offerors.

(3) Termination or completion of the contract.

(4) Notification that authorization to release classified information has been withdrawn.

(5) Notification that a facility:

(i) Does not have adequate means to safeguard classified information; or

(ii) Has had its security clearance revoked or inactivated.

(6) Whenever otherwise instructed by the authority responsible for the security classification.

(c) The Government agency that provided classified information to a GSA contractor is responsible for the return of the information.