# AGENCY:

 Department of Defense (DoD).

# ACTION:

 Proposed rule with request for comments.

# SUMMARY:

                         The Acting Director of Defense Procurement is proposing to                         Start Printed Page 6575                        amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to revise a clause used in construction contracts. The revised clause would explicitly allow the Government to furnish drawings and specifications to construction contractors in electronic form and would require construction contractors to reproduce and print contract drawings and specifications as needed.                    

# DATES:

 Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before April 10, 2000, to be considered in the formation of the final rule.

# ADDRESSES:

 Interested parties should submit written comments on the proposed rule to: Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Ms. Amy Williams, PDUSD (AT&L)DP(DAR), IMD 3D139, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telefax (703) 602-0350.

E-mail comments submitted via the Internet should be addressed to: dfars@acq.osd.mil

Please cite DFARS Case 99-D025 in all correspondence related to this proposed rule. E-mail correspondence should cite DFARS Case 99-D025 in the subject line.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

 Ms. Amy Williams, (703) 602-0288.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## A. Background

DoD uses the clause at DFARS 252.236-7001, Contract Drawings, Maps, and Specifications, in fixed-price construction contracts. The clause presently states that the Government will provide five sets (unless another quantity is specified) of large-scale drawings and specifications to the contractor without charge; or, at the Government's option, may furnish the contractor with one set of reproducibles, or half-size drawings. This rule proposes to revise the clause to specify that the Government will provide one set of large-scale drawings and specifications to the contractor in electronic or paper media, as chosen by the contracting officer, and that the contractor will reproduce and print contract drawings and specifications as needed.

This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.

## B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

                    The proposed rule is not expected to 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.,*                     because the reproduction and printing of contract drawings and specifications normally does not constitute a significant cost, and the contractor can include this cost in the contract price. Therefore, DoD has not performed an initial regulatory flexibility analysis. DoD invites comments from small businesses and other interested parties. DoD also will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected DFARS subpart in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case 99-D025.                

## C. Paperwork Reduction Act

                    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the rule does not impose any information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501,                     *et seq.*

# List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 252

- Government procurement

Michele P. Peterson,

Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.

Therefore, DoD proposes to amend 48 CFR Part 252 as follows:

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Part 252 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.

# PART 252—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

2. Section 252.236-7001 is revised to read as follows: 

252.236-7001 

As prescribed in 236.570(a), use the following clause:

#### Contract Drawings, Maps, and Specifications (XXX 2000)

(a) The Government—

(1) Will provide to the Contractor, without charge, one set of large-scale contract drawings and specifications, except publications incorporated into the technical provisions by reference; and 

(2) Will provide the drawings and specifications in electronic or paper media, as chosen by the Contracting Officer.

(b) The Contractor shall—

(1) Check all drawings furnished immediately upon receipt;

(2) Compare all drawings and verify the figures before laying out the work;

(3) Promptly notify the Contracting Officer of any discrepancies;

(4) Be responsible for any errors that might have been avoided by complying with this paragraph (b); and

(5) Reproduce and print contract drawings and specifications as needed.

(c) In general—

(1) Large-scale drawings shall govern small-scale drawings; and

(2) The Contractor shall follow figures marked on drawings in preference to scale measurements.

(d) Omissions from the drawings or specifications or the misdescription of details of work that are manifestly necessary to carry out the intent of the drawings and specifications, or that are customarily performed, shall not relieve the Contractor from performing such omitted or misdescribed details of the work. The Contractor shall perform such details as if fully and correctly set forth and described in the drawings and specifications.

(e) The work shall conform to the specifications and the contract drawings identified on the following index of drawings:

Title    

File    

Drawing No. 

(End of clause)

[FR Doc. 00-2942  Filed 2-09-00; 8:45 am]

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