(a) Preparing and maintaining records. The records specified in §§ 800.146-800.159 shall be prepared and maintained in a manner that will facilitate (1) the daily use of records and (2) the review and audit of the records to determine compliance with the Act, the regulations, the standards, and the instructions.

(b) Retaining records. Records shall be retained for a period not less than that specified in §§ 800.146-800.159. In specific instances, the Administrator may require that records be retained for a period of not more than 3 years in addition to the specified retention period. In addition, records may be kept for a longer time than the specified retention period at the option of the agency, the contractor, the approved scale testing organization, or the individual maintaining the records.