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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78858-78862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32396]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Acquisition Regulations System

48 CFR Parts 212, 225, and 252

RIN 0750-AH43

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Utilization of 
Domestic Photovoltaic Devices (DFARS Case 2011-D046)

AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense 
(DoD).

ACTION: Interim rule.

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SUMMARY: DoD is issuing an interim rule to implement a section of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. The section 
provides that photovoltaic devices to be utilized in performance of any 
covered contract shall comply with the Buy American statute, subject to 
the exceptions provided in the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 or 
otherwise provided by law.

DATES: Effective date: December 20, 2011.
    Comment date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted in 
writing to the address shown below on or before February 21, 2012, to 
be considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2011-D046, using 
any of the following methods:
    [cir] Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov.
    Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inserting 
``DFARS Case 2011-D046'' under the heading ``Enter keyword or ID'' and 
selecting ``Search.'' Select the link ``Submit a Comment'' that 
corresponds with ``DFARS Case 2011-D046.'' Follow the instructions 
provided at the ``Submit a Comment'' screen. Please include your name, 
company name (if any), and ``DFARS Case 2011-D046'' on your attached 
document.
    [cir] Email: dfars@osd.mil. Include DFARS Case 2011-D046 in the 
subject line of the message.
    [cir] Fax: 703-602-0350.
    [cir] Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Amy G. 
Williams, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP/DARS, Room 3B855, 3060 Defense Pentagon, 
Washington, DC 20301-3060.
    Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. To 
confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check www.regulations.gov 
approximately two to three days after submission to verify posting 
(except allow 30 days for posting of comments submitted by mail).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy G. Williams, Defense Acquisition 
Regulations System, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP/DARS, Room 3B855, 3060 Defense 
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3060. Telephone 703-602-0328; facsimile 
703-602-0350.''

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In order to implement section 846 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (Pub. L. 111-383), this interim 
rule amends DFARS subpart 225.70 by adding a new section 225.7017, 
Utilization of domestic photovoltaic devices, as well as an associated 
provision and clause in DFARS part 252 and conforming changes to DFARS 
part 212.
    Photovoltaic devices produce direct current electricity from 
sunlight, which can be used to provide power to things such as DoD-
owned facilities or private housing.
    As specified in section 846, a ``covered contract'' is defined in 
this interim rule as an energy savings performance contract, a utility 
service contract, or a private housing contract, if such contract will 
result in DoD ownership of photovoltaic devices, by means other than 
DoD purchase as end products. DoD is deemed to own a photovoltaic 
device if the device is--
    (1) Installed on DoD property or in a facility owned by DoD; and
    (2) Reserved for the exclusive use of DoD for the full economic 
life of the device.
    Prior to this definition, ownership would have required transfer of 
title for the equipment to the Government. Under section 846, exclusive 
use of the

[[Page 78859]]

power for the full economic life of the equipment equates to ownership 
and would then require compliance with 41 U.S.C. chapter 83, Buy 
American, unless DoD does not have exclusive rights to the power 
generated from the device (could be under any of the scenarios 
identified in (1) or (2) above) or the contract term is less than the 
full economic life of the photovoltaic device.
    Land leases are not included in the DFARS definition of ``covered 
contract,'' because the DFARS does not cover land leases. Contracts 
that include purchase of photovoltaic devices as end products are 
covered under the standard DFARS Buy American--trade agreements 
provisions and clauses.
    Photovoltaic devices provided under any covered contract shall 
comply with the Buy American statute, subject to the exceptions to that 
statute provided in the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2501 et 
seq.) or otherwise provided by law.
    Exceptions are provided for qualifying country photovoltaic 
devices, Free Trade Agreement or designated country photovoltaic 
devices (depending on the estimated value of the photovoltaic devices), 
and other foreign photovoltaic devices, if covered by the Buy American 
statute and the cost of a domestic photovoltaic device would be 
unreasonable (i.e., 50 percent more than the cost of the foreign 
photovoltaic device).

II. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess 
all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. 
This is a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was subject to 
review under section 6(b) of E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning and 
Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule under 5 
U.S.C. 804.

III. Determination of Applicability

    DoD has not made a determination to apply the requirement of 
section 846 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal 
Year (FY) 2011 to contracts at or below the simplified acquisition 
threshold (SAT), but has determined to apply the rule to contracts for 
the acquisition of commercial items.

A. Applicability to Contracts at or Below the Simplified Acquisition 
Threshold

    41 U.S.C. 1905 governs the applicability of laws to contracts or 
subcontracts in amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition 
threshold. It is intended to limit the applicability of laws to such 
contracts or subcontracts. 41 U.S.C. 1905 provides that if a provision 
of law contains criminal or civil penalties, or if the FAR Council 
makes a written determination that it is not in the best interest of 
the Federal Government to exempt contracts or subcontracts at or below 
the SAT, the law will apply to them. DoD has not made that 
determination. Therefore, this rule does not apply below the simplified 
acquisition threshold.

B. Applicability to Contracts for the Acquisition of Commercial Items

    41 U.S.C. 1906 governs the applicability of laws to contracts for 
the acquisition of commercial items, and is intended to limit the 
applicability of laws to contracts for the acquisition of commercial 
items. 41 U.S.C. 1906 provides that if a provision of law contains 
criminal or civil penalties, or if DoD makes a written determination 
that it is not in the best interest of the Federal Government to exempt 
commercial item contracts, the provision of law will apply to contracts 
for the acquisition of commercial items.
    Therefore, given that the requirements of section 846 of the NDAA 
for FY 2011 were enacted to promote utilization of domestic 
photovoltaic devices, DoD has determined that it is in the best 
interest of the Federal Government to apply the rule to contracts for 
the acquisition of commercial items, as defined at FAR 2.101. An 
exception for contracts for the acquisition of commercial items would 
exclude a significant portion of contracts intended to be covered by 
the law, thereby undermining the overarching public policy purpose of 
the law.

IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    DoD expects that this interim rule may have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. Therefore, an 
initial regulatory flexibility analysis has been prepared and is 
summarized as follows:
    This interim rule implements section 846 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (Pub. L. 111-383), by providing 
regulatory coverage on utilization of domestic photovoltaic devices 
under certain covered contracts.
    The objective of the rule is to promote utilization of domestic 
photovoltaic devices under an energy savings contract, a utility 
service contract, or a private housing contract, if such contract does 
not include DoD purchase of photovoltaic devices as end products, but 
will nevertheless result in DoD ownership of photovoltaic devices. 
According to the statute, DoD is deemed to own a photovoltaic device if 
the device is--
    (1) Installed on DoD property or in a facility owned by DoD; and
    (2) Reserved for the exclusive use of DoD for the full economic 
life of the device.
    The legal basis for the rule is section 846 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011.
    This rule generally applies to other than small entities. When 
purchasing renewable power generated via on-site photovoltaic devices, 
DoD can either purchase the photovoltaic devices and thereby own, 
operate, and maintain the devices for their full economic life (already 
covered in DFARS part 225) or can do variations of the following:
    a. Enter into an energy savings performance contract, which is a 
contracting method in which the contractor provides capital to 
facilitate energy savings projects and maintains them in exchange for a 
portion of the energy savings generated. Under this arrangement, the 
Government would take title to the devices during contract performance 
or at the conclusion of the contract. For example, the Defense 
Logistics Agency-Energy uses the master Department of Energy indefinite 
delivery-indefinite quantity contract and awards task orders off that 
contract. Of the 16 contractors, all are large businesses. There are 
subcontracting goals that each contractor has to meet, but the ultimate 
task order award is made to a large business.
    b. Enter into a power purchase agreement, also referred to as a 
utility service contract, for the purchase of the power output of 
photovoltaic devices that are installed on DoD land or buildings, but 
owned, operated, and maintained by the contractor. At the conclusion of 
the contract, DoD would either require the contractor to dismantle and 
remove the photovoltaic equipment, abandon the equipment in place, or 
would re-compete the requirement and if the incumbent contractor is the 
successful offeror, the follow-on contract would allow for continued 
power purchase from the existing devices. If the incumbent contractor 
is not the successful offeror,

[[Page 78860]]

the contractor would be required to dismantle and remove the devices. 
Prime contractors for this type of contract would generally be large 
businesses, based on the capital costs involved in these projects. 
However, many developers tend to subcontract out the majority of work 
to smaller companies.
    We do not currently have data available on whether any of the 
manufacturers of photovoltaic devices are small entities. This rule 
will promote utilization of domestic photovoltaic devices, even when 
the Government does not take title to the devices.
    The requirements of the rule will not apply below the simplified 
acquisition threshold.
    Since the prime contractors subject to this rule are large 
businesses, the reporting requirements will not impact small entities. 
Since the photovoltaic devices are commercially available off-the-shelf 
items, there will be no requirement to track to the origin of the 
components, but just to inform the prime contractor of the place of 
manufacture.
    The rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any other 
Federal rules.
    DoD did not identify any significant alternatives that would 
accomplish the objectives of the statute.
    DoD invites comments from small business concerns and other 
interested parties on the expected impact of this rule on small 
entities.
    DoD will also consider comments from small entities concerning the 
existing regulations in subparts affected by this rule in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such comments 
separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 610 (DFARS Case 2011-D046), in 
correspondence.

V. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The rule imposes an information collection requirement that 
requires the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 
U.S.C. chapter 35. However, the new DFARS provision at 252.225-7018, 
Photovoltaic Devices--Certificate, does not impose additional 
information collection requirements to the paperwork burden previously 
approved under OMB Control Number 0704-0229, entitled ``Defense Federal 
Acquisition Regulation Supplement Part 225, Foreign Acquisition, and 
related clauses,'' currently approved through November 30, 2013, in the 
amount of 147,944 hours. The proposed provision is a variant of the Buy 
American-trade agreements provisions that are already cleared.

VI. Determination To Issue an Interim Rule

    A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary 
of Defense, that urgent and compelling reasons exist to publish an 
interim rule prior to affording the public an opportunity to comment. 
This interim rule implements section 846 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. This requirement became 
effective upon enactment, January 7, 2011. This action is necessary in 
order to enable contracting officers to prevent violations of the Anti-
Deficiency Act by inadvertent award of a covered contract that does not 
contain the appropriate restrictions with regard to country of origin 
of photovoltaic devices to be utilized in performance of the contract. 
Failure to implement this requirement promptly can also have adverse 
effects on the U.S. photovoltaic industry, which this statute was 
designed to protect. However, pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 1707 and FAR 1.501-
3(b), DoD will consider public comments received in response to this 
interim rule in the formation of the final rule.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 212, 225, and 252

    Government procurement.

Ynette R. Shelkin,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

    Therefore, 48 CFR parts 212, 225, and 252 are amended as follows:

0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 212, 225, and 252 continues 
to read as follows:

    Authority:  41 U.S.C. 1303 and 48 CFR chapter 1.

PART 212--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS

0
2. Amend section 212.301 in paragraph by redesignating paragraphs 
(f)(iv)(F) through (L) as paragraphs (f)(iv)(G) through (M), and adding 
new paragraph (f)(iv)(F) to read as follows:

212.301   Solicitation provisions and contract clauses for the 
acquisition of commercial items.

    (f) * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (F) Use the provision at 252.225-7018, Photovoltaic Devices--
Certificate, as prescribed in 225.7017-4(b).
* * * * *

PART 225--FOREIGN ACQUISITION

0
3. Add sections 225.7017 through 225.7017-4 to subpart 225.70 to read 
as follows:

Subpart 225.70--Authorization Acts, Appropriations Acts, and Other 
Statutory Restrictions on Foreign Acquisition

Sec.
* * * * *
225.7017 Utilization of domestic photovoltaic devices.
225.7017-1 Definitions.
225.7017-2 Restriction.
225.7017-3 Exceptions.
225.7017-4 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

225.7017   Utilization of domestic photovoltaic devices.

225.7017-1   Definitions.

    As used in this section--
    Covered contract means an energy savings performance contract, a 
utility service contract, or a private housing contract awarded by DoD, 
if such contract results in DoD ownership of photovoltaic devices, by 
means other than DoD purchase as end products. DoD is deemed to own a 
photovoltaic device if the device is--
    (1) Installed on DoD property or in a facility owned by DoD; and
    (2) Reserved for the exclusive use of DoD for the full economic 
life of the device.
    Designated country photovoltaic device, domestic photovoltaic 
device, foreign photovoltaic device, Free Trade Agreement country 
photovoltaic device, photovoltaic device, qualifying country 
photovoltaic device, and U.S.-made photovoltaic device are defined in 
the clause at 252.225-7017, Photovoltaic Devices.

225.7017-2   Restriction.

    In accordance with section 846 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, photovoltaic devices provided 
under any covered contract shall comply with 41 U.S.C. chapter 83, Buy 
American, subject to the exceptions to that statute provided in the 
Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.) or otherwise 
provided by law.

225.7017-3   Exceptions.

    DoD requires the contractor to utilize domestic photovoltaic 
devices in covered contracts, with the following exceptions:
    (a) Qualifying country. Qualifying country photovoltaic devices may 
be utilized in any covered contract, because 225.103(a)(i)(A) provides 
an exception to the Buy American Act for products of qualifying 
countries, as defined in 225.003.
    (b) Buy American-unreasonable cost. For a covered contract that 
utilizes photovoltaic devices valued at less than $203,000, the 
exception for

[[Page 78861]]

unreasonable cost may apply (see FAR 25.103(c)). If the cost of a 
foreign photovoltaic device plus 50 percent is less than the cost of a 
domestic photovoltaic device, then the foreign photovoltaic device may 
be utilized.
    (c) Trade agreements. (1) Free Trade Agreements. For a covered 
contract that utilizes photovoltaic devices valued at $25,000 or more, 
photovoltaic devices may be utilized from a country covered under the 
acquisition by a Free Trade Agreement, depending upon dollar threshold 
(see FAR 25.4).
    (2) World Trade Organization--Government Procurement Agreement. For 
covered contracts that utilize photovoltaic devices that are valued at 
$203,000 or more, only U.S.-made photovoltaic devices, designated 
country photovoltaic devices, or qualifying country photovoltaic 
devices may be utilized.

225.7017-4   Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

    (a)(1) Use the clause at 252.225-7017, Photovoltaic Devices, in 
solicitations for a contract that--
    (i) Is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold; and
    (ii) May be a covered contract, i.e., an energy savings performance 
contract, a utility service contract, or a private housing contract 
awarded by DoD, if such contract results in DoD ownership of 
photovoltaic devices, by means other than DoD purchase as end products.
    (2) Use the clause in the resultant contract if it is a covered 
contract (i.e., will result in DoD ownership of photovoltaic devices, 
by means other than DoD purchase as end products).
    (b) Use the provision at 252.225-7018, Photovoltaic Devices--
Certificate, in solicitations containing the clause at 252.225-7017.

PART 252--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
4. Amend section 252.212-7001 by redesignating paragraphs (b)(12) 
through (30) as paragraphs (b)(13) through (31), and adding new 
paragraph (b)(12) to read as follows:

252.212-7001   Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement 
Statutes or Executive Orders Applicable to Defense Acquisitions of 
Commercial Items.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (12) ------252.225-7017, Photovoltaic Devices (DEC 2011) (Section 
846 of Pub. L. 111-383).
* * * * *

0
5. Add sections 252.225-7017 and 252.225-7018 to read as follows:

252.225-7017   Photovoltaic Devices.

    As prescribed in 225.7017-4(a), use the following clause:

Photovoltaic Devices (DEC 2011)

    (a) Definitions. As used in this clause--
    Bahrainian photovoltaic device means an article that--
    (i) Is wholly manufactured in Bahrain; or
    (ii) In the case of an article that consists in whole or in part 
of materials from another country, has been substantially 
transformed in Bahrain into a new and different article of commerce 
with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or 
articles from which it was transformed.
    Canadian photovoltaic device means an article that has been 
substantially transformed in Canada into a new and different article 
of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the 
article or articles from which it was transformed.
    Caribbean Basin country photovoltaic device means an article 
that--
    (i) Is wholly manufactured in a Caribbean Basin country; or
    (ii) In the case of an article that consists in whole or in part 
of materials from another country, has been substantially 
transformed in a Caribbean Basin country into a new and different 
article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from 
that of the article or articles from which it was transformed.
    Designated country means--
    (i) A World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement 
(WTO GPA) country (Aruba, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, 
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, 
Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, 
Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, 
Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, 
Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (known 
in the World Trade Organization as ``the Separate Customs Territory 
of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu'' (Chinese Taipei)), or the 
United Kingdom);
    (ii) A Free Trade Agreement country (Australia, Bahrain, Canada, 
Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Peru, or Singapore);
    (iii) A least developed country (Afghanistan, Angola, 
Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central 
African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, 
Djibouti, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, 
Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, 
Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, 
Niger, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, 
Solomon Islands, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, 
Yemen, or Zambia); or
    (iv) A Caribbean Basin country (Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, 
Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, 
Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saba, St. 
Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint 
Eustatius, Sint Maarten, or Trinidad and Tobago).
    Designated country photovoltaic device means a WTO GPA country 
photovoltaic device, a Free Trade Agreement country photovoltaic 
device, a least developed country photovoltaic device, or a 
Caribbean Basin country photovoltaic device.
    Domestic photovoltaic device means a photovoltaic device 
manufactured in the United States.
    Foreign photovoltaic device means a photovoltaic device other 
than a domestic photovoltaic device.
    Free Trade Agreement country means Australia, Bahrain, Canada, 
Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Peru, or Singapore.
    Free Trade Agreement country photovoltaic device means an 
article that--
    (i) Is wholly manufactured in a Free Trade Agreement country; or
    (ii) In the case of an article that consists in whole or in part 
of materials from another country, has been substantially 
transformed in a Free Trade Agreement country into a new and 
different article of commerce with a name, character, or use 
distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was 
transformed.
    Least developed country photovoltaic device means an article 
that--
    (i) Is wholly manufactured in a least developed country; or
    (ii) In the case of an article that consists in whole or in part 
of materials from another country, has been substantially 
transformed in a least developed country into a new and different 
article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from 
that of the article or articles from which it was transformed.
    Moroccan photovoltaic device means an article that--
    (i) Is wholly manufactured in Morocco; or
    (ii) In the case of an article that consists in whole or in part 
of materials from another country, has been substantially 
transformed in Morocco into a new and different article of commerce 
with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or 
articles from which it was transformed.
    Peruvian photovoltaic device means an article that--
    (i) Is wholly manufactured in Peru; or
    (ii) In the case of an article that consists in whole or in part 
of materials from another country, has been substantially 
transformed in Peru into a new and different article of commerce 
with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or 
articles from which it was transformed.
    Photovoltaic device means a device that converts light directly 
into electricity through a solid-state, semiconductor process.
    Qualifying country means any country listed in the definition of 
``qualifying country'' at 225.003 of the Defense Federal Acquisition 
Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
    Qualifying country photovoltaic device means a photovoltaic 
device manufactured in a qualifying country.
    United States means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 
outlying areas.

[[Page 78862]]

    U.S.-made photovoltaic device means a photovoltaic device that--
    (i) Is manufactured in the United States; or
    (ii) Is substantially transformed in the United States into a 
new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use 
distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was 
transformed.
    WTO GPA country photovoltaic device means an article that--
    (i) Is wholly manufactured in a WTO GPA country; or
    (ii) In the case of an article that consists in whole or in part 
of materials from another country, has been substantially 
transformed in a WTO GPA country into a new and different article of 
commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the 
article or articles from which it was transformed.
    (b) This clause implements section 846 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (Pub. L. 111-383).
    (c) Restriction. If the Contractor specified in its offer in the 
Photovoltaic Devices--Certificate provision of the solicitation that 
the estimated value of the photovoltaic devices to be utilized in 
performance of this contract would be--
    (1) More than $3,000 but less than $25,000, then the Contractor 
shall utilize only domestic or qualifying country photovoltaic 
devices unless, in its offer, it specified utilization of other 
foreign photovoltaic devices in paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of the 
Photovoltaic Devices--Certificate provision of the solicitation;
    (2) $25,000 or more but less than $70,079, then the Contractor 
shall utilize in the performance of this contract only domestic or 
qualifying country photovoltaic devices unless, in its offer, it 
specified utilization of Canadian or other foreign photovoltaic 
devices in paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of the Photovoltaic Devices--
Certificate provision of the solicitation. If the Contractor 
certified in its offer that it will utilize a qualifying country 
photovoltaic device or a Canadian photovoltaic device, the 
Contractor shall utilize a qualifying country photovoltaic device, a 
Canadian photovoltaic device, or, at the Contractor's option, a 
domestic photovoltaic device;
    (3) $70,079 or more but less than $203,000, then the Contractor 
shall utilize under this contract only domestic photovoltaic 
devices, qualifying country photovoltaic devices, or Free Trade 
Agreement country photovoltaic devices (other than Bahrainian, 
Moroccan, or Peruvian photovoltaic devices), unless, in its offer, 
it specified utilization of other foreign photovoltaic devices in 
paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of the Photovoltaic Devices--Certificate 
provision of the solicitation. If the Contractor certified in its 
offer that it will utilize a qualifying country photovoltaic device 
or a Free Trade Agreement country photovoltaic device (other than a 
Bahrainian, Moroccan, or Peruvian photovoltaic device), the 
Contractor shall utilize a qualifying country photovoltaic device; a 
Free Trade Agreement country photovoltaic device (other than a 
Bahrainian, Moroccan, or Peruvian photovoltaic device), or, at the 
Contractor's option, a domestic photovoltaic device; or
    (4) $203,000 or more, then the Contractor shall utilize under 
this contract only U.S.-made, qualifying country, or designated 
country photovoltaic devices.

(End of clause)

252.225-7018   Photovoltaic Devices--Certificate.

    As prescribed in 225.7017-4(b), use the following provision:

Photovoltaic Devices--Certificate (DEC 2011)

    (a) Definitions. Bahrainian photovoltaic device, Canadian 
photovoltaic device, Caribbean Basin photovoltaic device, designated 
country, domestic photovoltaic device, foreign photovoltaic device, 
Free Trade Agreement country, Free Trade Agreement photovoltaic 
device, least developed country photovoltaic device, Moroccan 
photovoltaic device, Peruvian photovoltaic device, photovoltaic 
device, qualifying country, qualifying country photovoltaic device, 
United States, U.S.-made photovoltaic device, and WTO GPA country 
photovoltaic device have the meanings given in the Photovoltaic 
Devices clause of this solicitation.
    (b) Restrictions. The following restrictions apply, depending on 
the estimated value of any photovoltaic devices to be utilized under 
a resultant contract:
    (1) If more than $3,000 but less than $203,000, then the 
Government will not accept an offer specifying the use of other 
foreign photovoltaic devices in paragraph (c)(2)(ii), (c)(3)(ii), or 
(c)(4)(ii) of this provision, unless the offeror documents to the 
satisfaction of the Contracting Officer that the price of the 
foreign photovoltaic device plus 50 percent is less than the price 
of a comparable domestic photovoltaic device.
    (2) If $203,000 or more, then the Government will consider only 
offers that utilize photovoltaic devices that are U.S.-made, 
qualifying country, or designated country photovoltaic devices.
    (c) Certification and identification of country of origin. [The 
offeror shall check the block and fill in the blank for one of the 
following paragraphs, based on the estimated value and the country 
of origin of photovoltaic devices to be utilized in performance of 
the contract:]
    ------ (1) No photovoltaic devices will be utilized in 
performance of the contract, or such photovoltaic devices have an 
estimated value of $3,000 or less.
    (2) If more than $3,000 but less than $25,000--
    ------ (i) The offeror certifies that each photovoltaic device 
to be utilized in performance of the contract is a domestic 
photovoltaic device or a qualifying country photovoltaic device 
[Offeror to specify country of origin --------------------]; or
    ------ (ii) The foreign (other than qualifying country) 
photovoltaic devices to be utilized in performance of the contract 
are the product of --------------------. [Offeror to specify country 
of origin, if known, and provide documentation that the cost of a 
domestic photovoltaic device would be unreasonable in comparison to 
the cost of the proposed foreign photovoltaic device.]
    (3) If $25,000 or more but less than $70,079--
    ------ (i) The offeror certifies that each photovoltaic device 
to be utilized in performance of the contract is a domestic 
photovoltaic device; a qualifying country photovoltaic device; or a 
Canadian photovoltaic device [Offeror to specify country of origin--
------------------]; or
    ------ (ii) The foreign (other than qualifying country or 
Canadian) photovoltaic devices to be utilized in performance of the 
contract are the product of --------------------. [Offeror to 
specify country of origin, if known, and provide documentation that 
the cost of a domestic photovoltaic device would be unreasonable in 
comparison to the cost of the proposed foreign photovoltaic device.]
    (4) If $70,079 or more but less than $203,000--
    ------(i) The offeror certifies that each photovoltaic device to 
be utilized in performance of the contract is a domestic 
photovoltaic device; a qualifying country (except Australian or 
Canadian) photovoltaic device; a Free Trade Agreement country 
photovoltaic device (other than a Bahrainian, Moroccan, or Peruvian 
photovoltaic device) [Offeror to specify country of origin --------
------------]; or
    ------(ii) The offered foreign photovoltaic devices (other than 
those from countries listed in paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this 
provision) are the product of --------------------. [Offeror to 
specify country of origin, if known, and provide documentation that 
the cost of a domestic photovoltaic device would be unreasonable in 
comparison to the cost of the proposed foreign photovoltaic device.]
    (5) If $203,000 or more--
    ------The offeror certifies that each photovoltaic device to be 
utilized in performance of the contract is a U.S.-made, qualifying 
country, or designated country photovoltaic device. [Offeror to 
specify country of origin --------------------.]

(End of provision)

[FR Doc. 2011-32396 Filed 12-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P
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