Which authority requires a review of a contractor's past performance in acquisitions over $100,000?

The reference to FAR 15.304 is pertinent because this regulation directly addresses the requirement for evaluating a contractor’s past performance in connection with competitive proposals for government contracts. Specifically, FAR 15.304 mandates that contracting officers consider past performance when making source selection decisions for acquisitions exceeding $100,000. This process helps ensure that the government makes informed choices based on a contractor’s history of fulfilling contractual obligations, which inevitably affects their likelihood of success on future contracts.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of government contracting. FAR 49.402-2 deals with the termination of contracts and focuses on how a contractor's performance history may impact the decision to terminate, rather than the evaluation for new contracts. FAR 9.502 pertains to the standards for determining responsibility and does not specifically call for a past performance review for these acquisitions. FAR 32.503 discusses contract financing methods but does not involve performance evaluation requirements. Therefore, FAR 15.304 is the correct regulation that outlines the need for past performance reviews in procurement practices.