### 4848 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 19 / Thursday, January 29, 2015 / Proposed Rules

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 2012–D056), in correspondence. V. Paperwork Reduction Act

The rule does not contain any information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 204 and
237

Government procurement.

Manuel Quinones, Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

Therefore, 48 CFR parts 204 and 237 are proposed to be amended as follows:

■ 1. The authority citation for parts 204 and 237 continues to read as follows:

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

**PART 204—ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS** 

■ 2. Add sections 204.270–1 and 204.270–2 to subpart 204.2 to read as follows:

**204.270–1 Policy.**

(a) The Electronic Document Access (EDA) system, an online repository for contractual instruments and supporting documents, is DoD’s primary tool for electronic distribution of contract documents and contract data.

(b) Agencies are responsible for ensuring the following when posting documents, including contractual instruments, to EDA—

(1) The timely distribution of documents; and

(2) That internal controls are in place to ensure that—

(i) The electronic version of a contract document in EDA is an accurate representation of the original contract document; and

(ii) The contract data in EDA is an accurate representation of the underlying contract.

**204.270–2 Procedures.**

The procedures at PGI 204.270–2 provide details on how to record the results of data verification in EDA. When these procedures are followed, contract documents in EDA are an accurate representation of the original contract document and therefore may be used for audit purposes.

■ 3. Revise section 204.802 to read as follows: **204.802 Contract files.** (a) Any document posted to the Electronic Document Access (EDA) system is part of the contract file and is accessible by multiple parties, including the contractor. Inclusion of any document in EDA other than contracts, modifications, and orders is optional.

**204.805 [Amended]**

■ 4. Amend section 204.805 by removing ‘‘official contract files’’ and adding ‘‘contract files’’ in its place.

**PART 237—SERVICE CONTRACTING**

■ 5. Revise section 237.172 to read as follows:

**237.172 Service contracts surveillance.**

Ensure that quality assurance surveillance plans are prepared in conjunction with the preparation of the statement of work or statement of objectives for solicitations and contracts for services. These plans should be tailored to address the performance risks inherent in the specific contract type and the work effort addressed by the contract. (See FAR subpart 46.4.) Retain quality assurance surveillance plans in the contract file. See http:// sam.dau.mil, Step Four—Requirements Definition, for examples of quality assurance surveillance plans.

[FR Doc. 2015–01435 Filed 1–28–15; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 5001–06–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE**

**Defense Acquisition Regulations System** 

**48 CFR Parts 212, 213, and 252**

**RIN 0750–AI40**

**Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Past**  **Performance Information Retrieval System—Statistical Reporting (PPIRS–**  **SR) (DFARS Case 2014–D015)**

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

**ACTION :**  Proposed rule.

**SUMMARY :**  DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to require contracting officers to consider information in the Statistical Reporting module of the Past Performance Information Retrieval System when evaluating past performance of offerors under competitive solicitations for supplies using simplified acquisition procedures. **DATES :**  Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before March 30, 2015, to be considered in the formation of the final rule.

**ADDRESSES :**  Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2014–D015, using any of the following methods:

Æ Regulations.gov: http:// www.regulations.gov. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by entering ‘‘DFARS Case 2014–D015’’ under the heading ‘‘Enter keyword or ID’’ and selecting ‘‘Search.’’ Select the link ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ that corresponds with ‘‘DFARS Case 2014– D015.’’ Follow the instructions provided at the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and ‘‘DFARS Case 2014– D015’’ on your attached document.

Æ Email: osd.dfars@mail.mil. Include DFARS Case 2014–D015 in the subject line of the message.

Æ Fax: 571–372–6094.

Æ Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP/DARS, Attn: Ms. Jennifer Hawes, Room 3B941, 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 :**  Ms. Jennifer Hawes, telephone 571–372–
6115.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  I. Background

To fill the need for past performance data on lower dollar value contracts, DoD developed and deployed the Past Performance Information Retrieval System—Statistical Reporting (PPIRS– SR) module. This module of PPIRS collects quantifiable delivery and quality data from existing systems and uses that data to classify each supplier’s performance by Federal supply class and product or service code. This objective data on past performance will assist contracting officers in making better-informed best value award decisions on small dollar value acquisitions for supplies, while also eliminating the burden of collecting subjective past performance information on contractors for smaller dollar value
contracts.


### 4849 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 19 / Thursday, January 29, 2015 / Proposed Rules

II. Discussion and Analysis

A new section DFARS 213.106–2 entitled ‘‘Evaluation of quotations or offers’’ is added as well as a new provision at DFARS 252.213–70XX, Notice to Prospective Suppliers on the Use of Past Performance Information Retrieval System—Statistical Reporting in Past Performance Evaluations. The prescription to use the new provision in competitive solicitations for supplies using FAR part 13 simplified acquisition procedures, including acquisitions valued at less than or equal to $1 million under the authority at FAR subpart 13.5, is included at DFARS 213.106–2–70. The provision is also added to the list of provisions and clauses that are applicable to the acquisition of commercial items at DFARS 212.301.

Instructions on the use of PPIRS–SR, for both Government and industry users, are available in the PPIRS–SR User’s Manual provided in the references section of www.PPIRS.gov. As such, a link to the User’s Manual is provided at DFARS 213.106–2(b)(i)(A) and in the new provision at DFARS 252.213–70XX.

III. 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 not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 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. IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act

DoD expects this proposed 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 rule proposes to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to require contracting officers to consider information available in the Statistical Reporting module of the Past Performance Information Retrieval System when evaluating the past performance of offerors under competitive solicitations for supplies using FAR part 13 simplified acquisition procedures, including acquisitions valued at less than or equal to $1 million under the authority at FAR subpart 13.5.

The Past Performance Information Retrieval System—Statistical Reporting (PPIRS–SR) module collects quantifiable delivery and quality data from existing systems and uses that data to classify each supplier’s performance by Federal supply class and product or service code. Contracting officers will use this objective data to make better-informed best value award decisions for supply contracts valued at less than or equal to $1 million.

This rule will apply to small entities submitting quotations or offers on competitive solicitations for supplies issued using FAR part 13 simplified acquisition procedures, including acquisitions valued at less than or equal to $1 million under the authority of FAR subpart 13.5. According to a report generated in the Federal Procurement Data System—Next Generation, in fiscal year 2013, DoD made 15,258 new competitive awards for commercial supplies valued at less than or equal to $1 million to 4,018 unique small businesses.

This rule creates no new reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements. PPIRS–SR generates past performance ratings based on objective delivery and quality data on current and recent contracts available from other systems.

The rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any other Federal rules and there are no known significant alternatives to the rule.

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 2014–D015), in correspondence.
V. Paperwork Reduction Act

The rule does not contain any information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 212, 213, and 252

Government procurement.

Manuel Quinones, Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

Therefore, 48 CFR parts 212, 213, and 252 are proposed to be amended as follows:

■ 1. The authority citation for parts 212, 213, and 252 continues to read as follows:

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

**PART 212—ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS** 

■ 2. In section 212.301, redesignate paragraphs (f)(v) through (xvii) as paragraphs (f)(vi) through (xviii) and add a new paragraph (f)(v) to read as follows:

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

(f) * * * (v) Part 213—Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Use the provision at 252.213–70XX, Notice to Prospective Suppliers on Use of Past Performance Information Retrieval System— Statistical Reporting in Past Performance Evaluations, in competitive solicitations for supplies when using FAR part 13 simplified acquisition procedures, including those valued at less than or equal to $1 million under the authority at FAR subpart 13.5, as prescribed in 213.106–2–70.

* * * * *

**PART 213—SIMPLIFED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES** 

■ 3. Add sections 213.106–2 and 213.106–2–70 to subpart 213.1 to read as follows:

**213.106–2 Evaluation of quotations or offers.** 

(b)(i) For competitive solicitations for supplies using FAR part 13 simplified acquisition procedures, including acquisitions valued at less than or equal to $1 million under the authority at FAR subpart 13.5, the contracting officer shall—

(A) Consider data available in the statistical reporting module of the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS–SR) regarding the supplier’s past performance history for the Federal supply class (FSC) and product or service code (PSC) of the supplies being purchased. Procedures for the use of PPIRS–SR in the evaluation of quotations or offers are


### 4850 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 19 / Thursday, January 29, 2015 / Proposed Rules

provided in the PPIRS–SR User’s Manual available under the references section of the PPIRS Web site at www.ppirs.gov;

(B) Ensure the basis for award includes an evaluation of each supplier’s past performance history in PPIRS–SR for the FSC and PSC of the supplies being purchased; and

(C) In the case of a supplier without a record of relevant past performance history in PPIRS–SR for the FSC or PSC of the supplies being purchased, the supplier may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably for its past performance history.

**213.106–2–70 Solicitation provision.**

Use the provision at 252.213–70XX, Notice to Prospective Suppliers on the Use of Past Performance Information Retrieval System—Statistical Reporting in Past Performance Evaluations, in competitive solicitations for supplies when using FAR part 13 simplified acquisition procedures, including acquisitions valued at less than or equal to $1 million under the authority at FAR subpart 13.5.

**PART 252—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT**  **CLAUSES**

■ 4. Add new section 252.213–70XX to read as follows:

**252.213–70XX Notice to Prospective Suppliers on Use of Past Performance**  **Information Retrieval System—Statistical Reporting in Past Performance Evaluations.** 

As prescribed in 213.106–2–70, use the following provision: Notice to Prospective Suppliers on use of Past Performance Information Retrieval System—Statistical Reporting in Past Performance Evaluations (Date)

(a) The Past Performance Information Retrieval System—Statistical Reporting (PPIRS–SR) application (http:// www.ppirs.gov/ ) will be used in the evaluation of suppliers’ past performance in accordance with DFARS 213.106–2(b)(i).

(b) PPIRS–SR collects quality and delivery data on previously awarded contracts and orders from existing Department of Defense reporting systems to classify each supplier’s performance history by Federal supply class (FSC) and product or service code (PSC). The PPIRS–SR application provides the contracting officer quantifiable past performance information regarding a supplier’s quality and delivery performance for the FSC and PSC of the supplies being purchased.

(c) The quality and delivery classifications identified for a supplier in PPIRS–SR will be used by the contracting officer to evaluate a supplier’s past performance in conjunction with the supplier’s references (if requested) and other provisions of this solicitation under the past performance evaluation factor. The Government reserves the right to award to the supplier(s) whose quotations(s) or offer(s) represent(s) the best value to the Government.

(d) PPIRS–SR classifications are generated monthly for each contractor and can be reviewed by following the access instructions in the PPIRS–SR User’s Manual found athttps://www.ppirs.gov/ppirsfiles/pdf/PPIRSSR

_ UserMan.pdf. Contractors are granted access to PPIRS–SR for their own classifications only. Suppliers are encouraged to review their own classifications, the PPIRS–SR reporting procedures and classification methodology detailed in the PPIRS–SR User’s Manual, and PPIRS–SR Evaluation Criteria available from the references at http://www.ppirs.gov/ ppirsfiles/reference.htm. The method to challenge a rating generated by PPIRS–SR is provided in the User’s Manual. (End of provision)

[FR Doc. 2015–01436 Filed 1–28–15; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 5001–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE**

**Defense Acquisition Regulations System** 

**48 CFR Parts 225 and 252**

**RIN 0750–AI45**

**Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Contractor**  **Personnel Supporting U.S. Armed Forces Deployed Outside the United**  **States (DFARS Case 2014–D023)**

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

**ACTION :**  Proposed rule.

**SUMMARY :**  DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update the clause entitled ‘‘Contractor Personnel Supporting U.S. Armed Forces Deployed Outside the United States.’’

**DATES :**  Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before March 30, 2015, to be considered in the formation of a final rule.

**ADDRESSES :**  Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2014–D023, using any of the following methods:

Æ Regulations.gov: http:// www.regulations.gov. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by entering ‘‘DFARS Case 2014–D023’’ under the heading ‘‘Enter keyword or ID’’ and selecting ‘‘Search.’’ Select the link ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ that corresponds with ‘‘DFARS Case 2014– D023.’’ Follow the instructions provided at the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and ‘‘DFARS Case 2014– D023’’ on your attached document.

Æ Email: osd.dfars@mail.mil. Include DFARS Case 2014–D023 in the subject line of the message.

Æ Fax: 571–372–6094.

Æ Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Jennifer Hawes, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP/DARS, Room 3B941, 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 :**  Jennifer Hawes, telephone 571–372–
6115.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  I. Background

DoD is proposing to amend the DFARS to make the following updates to the clause at 252.225–7040, Contractor Personnel Supporting U.S. Armed Forces Deployed Outside the United States, to—

• Remove ‘‘humanitarian assistance operations’’ at paragraphs (b)(1)(ii) and (q)(2), because humanitarian assistance operations are a subset of peace operations already referenced at (b)(1)(iii) and (q)(3);

• Clarify at paragraph (d)(3) that both contractors authorized to accompany the Force (CAAF) and non-CAAF personnel must be made aware of information related to sexual assault offenses by adding ‘‘and non-CAAF’’;

• Add subparagraph (d)(5)(iii) to clarify that the section on reporting alleged crimes does not create any rights or privileges that are not authorized by law or DoD policy;

• Change the form at subparagraph (e)(1)(ii)(C)(3) from the ‘‘Public Health Service Form 791, International Certificate of Vaccination’’ to the ‘‘U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Form 731, International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis as Approved by the World Health Organization’’;

• Change the reference at paragraph (e)(1)(iv) from ‘‘DoD Directive 4500.54, Official Temporary Duty Abroad, and DoD 4500.54–G, DoD Foreign Clearance Guide’’ to ‘‘DoD Directive 4500.54E, DoD Foreign Clearance Program’’;

• Change the hyperlink for the Synchronized Predeployment and