The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is initiating the Streamlined Award Closeout Initiative to efficiently close out a backlog of expired awards, including contracts and purchase orders that have surpassed their performance periods. This initiative aims to alleviate the burden on legacy acquisition and financial systems by implementing a quick process for closing out files associated with awards that have zero-dollar balances, thereby facilitating the transition to modernized financial and procurement systems. The closeout process is crucial for maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with federal regulations, while also protecting contractor rights under the Contract Disputes Act. For inquiries, interested parties can contact Biji John at biji.john@nist.gov or call 301-975-8567.