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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 198 (Tuesday, October 14, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61579-61583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24225]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Acquisition Regulation System

48 CFR Parts 205, 206, 215, 219, 226, 232, 235, 252, and Appendix I 
to Chapter 2

RIN 0750-AH45

Defense Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Deletion of Text 
Implementing 10 U.S.C. 2323 (DFARS Case 2011-D038)

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

ACTION: Interim rule.

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SUMMARY: DoD is issuing an interim rule amending the Defense Federal 
Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to remove language based on 
10 U.S.C. 2323. This action is necessary because the statute has 
expired.

DATES: Effective October 14, 2014.
    Comment Date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted in 
writing to the address shown below on or before December 15, 2014, to 
be considered in the formation of a final rule.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2011-D038, using 
any of the following methods:
    [cir] Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit comments 
via the Federal eRulemaking portal by entering ``DFARS Case 2011-D038'' 
under the heading ``Enter keyword or ID'' and selecting ``Search.'' 
Select the link ``Submit a Comment'' that corresponds with ``DFARS Case 
2011-D038.'' Follow the instructions provided at the ``Submit a 
Comment'' screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and 
``DFARS Case 2011-D038'' on your attached document.
    [cir] Email: osd.dfars@mail.mil. Include DFARS Case 2011-D038 in 
the subject line of the message.
    [cir] Fax: 571-372-6094.
    [cir] Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Lee 
Renna, 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: Ms. Lee Renna, telephone 571-372-6095.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    This interim rule revises the DFARS to implement changes resulting 
from the expiration of 10 U.S.C. 2323 on September 30, 2009. Section 
2323 of Title 10 was the underlying statutory authority for DoD's Small 
Disadvantaged Business (SDB) program, including the establishment of a 
specific goal within the overall 5 percent SDB goal for the award of 
prime contracts and subcontracts to historically black colleges and 
universities (HBCUs) and minority institutions (MIs). DoD's fundamental 
policy to provide the maximum practicable number of contracting 
opportunities for SDB concerns and, in defense-related research and 
development, the maximum number of opportunities for HBCUs and MIs, is 
unchanged by this rule, as demonstrated by the following:

--DoD's annual SDB goal is 5 percent of the total value of all prime 
contract and subcontract awards for each fiscal year, in keeping with 
15(g) of the Small Business Act, Pub. L. 85-536, as amended, (15 U.S.C. 
644(g)). DoD has met or exceeded this goal every fiscal year since 
2001.
--DoD contracting officers may continue to use incentives to encourage 
prime contractors to increase subcontracting opportunities with all 
small business types, including SDBs.
--DoD contracting officers will continue to evaluate the extent of 
small business participation, including that of SDBs, in solicitations 
and contracts that require subcontracting plans, as well as the past 
performance of offerors' achievement of their small business 
subcontracting goals.
--In addition, section 252 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 (codified at 10 U.S.C. 2362) authorized the 
Secretary of Defense to establish a program to provide assistance to 
HBCUs and MIs in defense-related research, development, testing, and 
evaluation activities. This statutory authority is used in support of 
DoD's annual HBCU/MI Broad Agency Announcement.

II. Discussion and Analysis

    The following is a summary of the revisions to the DFARS:

--Removal of DFARS 205.207(d) subparagraphs (i) and (ii), which 
provided guidance for synopsizing HBCU and MI set-asides, and update 
the PGI reference in subparagraph (iii).

[[Page 61580]]

--Removal of DFARS 206.203, which provided guidance pertaining to HBCU 
and MI set-asides under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2323;
--Revision of DFARS 215.304 to (1) Remove the references to HBCUs and 
MIs and (2) add language to clarify the extent of small business 
participation in performance of the contract that shall be addressed 
during source selection for acquisitions requiring subcontracting 
plans.
--Removal of DFARS 219.000, which stated purpose was to implement 10 
U.S.C. 2323.
--Removal of DFARS 219.001 because (1) This SDB definition was provided 
for the purpose of implementing 10 U.S.C. 2323, specifically as it 
pertained to the eligibility for the special progress payment rate for 
SDBs, and reporting contract actions in Federal Procurement Data 
System.
--Removal of DFARS 219.201(f) and 219.202-5, as these data collection 
and reporting requirements stemmed from 10 U.S.C 2323. A conforming 
change was made to DFARS 219.202.
--Removal of DFARS 219.502-3, which provided guidance for applying the 
SDB price evaluation adjustment to partial small business set-asides.
--Removal of DFARS 219.703(a)(2)(A) and (B), since there are no longer 
DoD-unique eligibility requirements for SDBs, HBCUs, and/or MIs.
--Removal of DFARS 219.704(1) since DoD prime contractors can no longer 
consider subcontract awards to HBCUs and MIs as a component of their 
SDB goal.
--Revision of DFARS 219.705-4 to remove the requirement for DoD 
contracting officer to consider the extent to which a prime contractor 
will restrict competition to HBCUs and/or MIs in fulfillment of its 
subcontracting plan.
--Removal of DFARS subpart 219.11 since there is no longer a statutory 
authority for the SDB price evaluation adjustment.
--Removal of DFARS subpart 219.12, which addressed monetary incentives 
to prime contractors to increase subcontracting opportunities for SDBs 
pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2323. However, DoD continues to employ monetary 
incentives for prime contractors, pursuant to FAR 19.7, as a means of 
encouraging efforts of prime contractors to maximize subcontracting 
opportunities with all small business concerns, including SDBs.
--Removal of DFARS subpart 226.3, which implemented 10 U.S.C. 2323 for 
HBCU and MI set-asides.
--Revision of DFARS 232.501-1 to remove authorizing language for the 95 
percent progress payment rate for SDBs. The customary progress payment 
rate for all small businesses, including SDBs, is 90 percent.
--Removal of DFARS 232.502-1, which permitted progress payments to SDBs 
if the contract involved $65,000 or more.
--Revision of DFARS 232.502-470(b) to remove the reference to SDBs in 
keeping with the revision to the associated DFARS clause at 252.232-
7004.
--Removal of DFARS 235.016, since its stated purpose was to implement 
section 1207 of Public Law 99-661, which was codified at 10 U.S.C. 
2323. Broad agency announcements, however, may still be used to 
encourage HBCUs and MIs to submit proposals in specific areas of 
scientific interest to DoD.
--Revision of DFARS DFARS clause 252.219-7003, Small Business 
Subcontracting Plan (DoD Contracts), to remove the DoD-specific 
definitions for SDB, HBCU, and MI, and authorities stemming from 10 
U.S.C. 2323. In addition, the requirement for the Year End 
Supplementary Report for Small Disadvantaged Businesses and the Small 
Disadvantaged Business Participation report have been removed, since 
both requirements stemmed from 10 U.S.C. 2323.
--Revision of DFARS clause 252.219-7004, Small Business Subcontracting 
Plan (Test Program), to remove the reporting requirement stemming from 
10 U.S.C. 2323 for (1) DoD prime contractors regarding HBCUs and MIs, 
and (2) the Year End Supplementary Report for Small Disadvantaged 
Businesses.
--Removal of DFARS clause 252.226-7000, Notice of Historically Black 
College or University and Minority Institution Set-Aside, since 10 
U.S.C. 2323 was the authority for the HBCU and MI set-aside program.
--Revision of DFARS clause 252.232-7004, Small Business Subcontracting 
Plan (Test Program),to remove language pertaining to the 95 percent SDB 
progress payment rate. The customary progress payment rate/liquidation 
rate that is applicable to all small businesses, including SDBs, is 90 
percent.
--Revision of DFARS Appendix I-101-5 to remove the DoD-unique 
definition for an SDB concern.
--Removal of DFARS Appendix I-112.1(c), which references FAR 52.219-26, 
Small Disadvantaged Business Program--Incentive Subcontracting. The 
clause and the subcontracting incentives connected with the clause no 
longer exist, since both were based on the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2323.

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 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.

IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    DoD does not expect this interim rule 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 it does not change the fundamental procurement policies that 
DoD has used to achieve strong small disadvantaged business (SDB) 
participation or to encourage the involvement of historically black 
colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority institutions (MIs) in 
defense-related research, development, testing, and evaluation 
activities. However, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis has 
been performed and is summarized as follows:
    The purpose of this rule is to remove language based on 10 U.S.C. 
2323. Section 2323 of Title 10 expired on September 30, 2009. This 
interim rule amends the DFARS to remove or revise clauses, provisions, 
and guidance conditioned solely on section 1207 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act of 1987, Public Law 99-661, as codified at 10 U.S.C. 
2323.
    Under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2323, DoD established an SDB 
participation program. This statute served as the basis for certain 
solicitation techniques used by DoD to further its SDB participation 
rate, such as the price evaluation adjustment for SDB concerns and the 
set-aside program for HBCUs and MIs.
    In FY 2008, the last complete fiscal year for which the DoD SDB 
program was in effect, DoD awarded approximately 29,292 contracts to 
small

[[Page 61581]]

disadvantaged businesses, inclusive of approximately 329 DoD awards 
made to HBCUs and MIs. These figures represent the population of small 
entities that may be affected by the expiration of 10 U.S.C. 2323. 
Several factors, however, mitigate the impact of this change, such as 
the following:

--Section 15(g) of the Small Business Act (Pub. L. 85-536, as amended), 
(15 U.S.C. 644(g)), requires all Federal agencies to make every attempt 
to achieve the annual Governmentwide goal for participation by SDBs. 
The statutory SDB goal is not less than 5 percent of the total value of 
all prime contract and subcontract awards for each fiscal year. DoD has 
met or exceeded the 5 percent SDB goal since FY 2001.
--DoD contracting officers may continue to employ incentives in 
solicitations and contracts, when inclusion of such incentives is, in 
the judgment of the contracting officer, necessary to increase 
subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, service-disabled 
veteran-owned small businesses, HUBZone small businesses, women-owned 
small businesses, as well as small disadvantaged businesses. 
Additionally, in keeping with SBA's regulations at 13 CFR 125.3(g), the 
extent of participation of all small businesses, including small 
disadvantaged businesses, in performance of the contract shall be 
addressed as part of the source selection for negotiated DoD 
acquisitions that have subcontracting opportunities. The past 
performance of offerors in complying with subcontracting goals with all 
small businesses, including SDBs, shall also be evaluated in DoD 
acquisitions.
--The effect of the permanent elimination of the price evaluation 
adjustment for SDB concerns is negligible. The authority for this 
adjustment had not been used by DoD since 2001 because, under 10 U.S.C. 
2323, DoD was prohibited from using the price evaluation adjustment if, 
during the previous fiscal year, it had achieved a 5 percent or greater 
SDB achievement. DoD has achieved the 5 percent SDB goal had been met 
or exceeded each year.
--In FY 2009, Congress passed, and on September 30, 2009, the President 
signed into law, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2010 
(Pub. L. 111-84). Section 252 of the law, codified at 10 U.S.C 2362, 
gave the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of each military 
department, the authority to carry out a program to enhance 
participation of HBCUs and MIs in defense research programs. DoD has 
annually issued broad agency announcements in support of this program 
since FY 2010.
    This rule does not impose new reporting, recordkeeping or other 
compliance requirements. There are no rules that duplicate, overlap, or 
conflict with this rule.
    The desired outcome to remove language in the DFARS that is based 
solely on 10 U.S.C. 2323 is best achieved by implementation of the 
interim rule as stated herein. There are no known alternatives since 
the DFARS language that implemented this law must be removed since the 
underlying statute, 10 U.S.C. 2323 has expired.
    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-D038), in 
correspondence.

V. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This 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). The associated 
information collection requirements are covered by the FAR under OMB 
Control numbers 9000-0150, 9000-0006, and 9000-007, which are being 
addressed accordingly under FAR Case 2009-016.

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 promulgate this 
interim rule without prior opportunity for public comment. This action 
is necessary because the statutory authority provided under 10 U.S.C. 
2323 has expired; necessitating the removal of the law's implementing 
regulations in the DFARS. So long as this implementing language remains 
in the DFARS, there is a high risk that a DoD contracting officer will 
inadvertently attempt to execute a contractual action based on an 
expired legal authority. So as to avoid this situation, the DFARS 
changes described herein must be made as soon as possible. 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 205, 206, 215, 219, 226, 232, 235, 
252, and Appendix I to Chapter 2

    Government procurement.

Manuel Quinones,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

    Therefore, 48 CFR parts 205, 206, 215, 219, 226, 232, 235, 252, and 
Appendix I to Chapter 2 are amended as follows:

0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 205, 206, 215, 219, 226, 
232, 235, 252, and Appendix I to chapter 2 continues to read as 
follows:

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

PART 205--PUBLICIZING CONTRACT ACTIONS

0
2. Amend section 205.207 by revising paragraph (d) to read as follows:

205.207   Preparation and transmittal of synopses.

* * * * *
    (d) For special notices for small business events, follow the 
procedures at PGI 205.207(d).

PART 206--COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS

206.203  [Removed]

0
3. Remove section 206.203.

PART 215--CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION

0
4. Amend section 215.304 by revising paragraph (c)(i) to read as 
follows:

215.304  Evaluation factors and significant subfactors.

    (c)(i) In acquisitions that require use of the clause at FAR 
52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, other than those based on 
the lowest price technically acceptable source selection process (see 
FAR 15.101-2), the extent of participation of small businesses (to 
include service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, HUBZone 
small business concerns, small disadvantaged business concerns, and 
women-owned small business concerns) in performance of the contract 
shall be addressed in source selection. The contracting officer shall 
evaluate the extent to which offerors identify and commit to small 
business performance of the contract, whether as a joint venture, 
teaming arrangement, or subcontractor.
    (A) See PGI 215.304(c)(i)(A) for examples of evaluation factors.
    (B) Proposals addressing the extent of small business performance 
shall be separate from subcontracting plans

[[Page 61582]]

submitted pursuant to the clause at FAR 52.219-9 and shall be 
structured to allow for consideration of offers from small businesses.
    (C) When an evaluation assesses the extent that small businesses 
are specifically identified in proposals, the small businesses 
considered in the evaluation shall be listed in any subcontracting plan 
submitted pursuant to FAR 52.219-9 to facilitate compliance with 
252.219-7003(e).
* * * * *

PART 219--SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS

219.000  [Removed]

0
5. Remove section 219.000.

219.001  [Removed]

0
6. Remove section 219.001.

219.201  [Amended]

0
7. Amend section 219.201 by removing paragraph (f).

219.202-1  [Amended]

0
8. Amend section 219.202-1 by removing ``PGI 205.207(d)(ii)'' and 
adding ``PGI 205.207(d)'' in its place.

219.202-5  [Removed]

0
9. Remove section 219.202-5.

219.502-3  [Removed]

0
10. Remove section 219.502-3.

219.703  [Amended]

0
11. Amend section 219.703 by removing paragraphs (a)(2)(A) and (B).

219.704  [Amended]

0
12. Amend section 219.704 by--
0
a. Removing paragraph (1); and
0
b. Redsignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (1), and paragraph (3) as 
paragraph (2), respectively.
0
13. Revise section 219.705-4 to read as follows:

219.705-4  Reviewing the subcontracting plan.

    (d) Challenge any subcontracting plan that does not contain 
positive goals. A small disadvantaged business goal of less than five 
percent must be approved one level above the contracting officer.

Subpart 219.11 [Removed]

0
14. Remove subpart 219.11, consisting of sections 219.1101 and 
219.1102.

Subpart 219.12 [Removed]

0
15. Remove subpart 219.12, consisting of sections 219.1203 and 
219.1204.

PART 226--OTHER SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS

Subpart 226.3 [Removed]

0
16. Remove subpart 226.3, consisting of sections 226.370 and 226.370-1 
through 226.370-9.

PART 232--CONTRACT FINANCING

0
17. Revise section 232.501-1 to read as follows:

232.501-1  Customary progress payment rates.

    (a) The customary progress payment rates for DoD contracts, 
including contracts that contain foreign military sales (FMS) 
requirements, are 80 percent for large business concerns and 90 percent 
for small business concerns.

232.502-1  [Removed]

0
18. Remove section 232.502-1.

232.502-4-70(b)  [Amended]

0
19. Amend section 232.502-4-70(b) to remove the phrase ``or small 
disadvantaged business''.

PART 235--RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING

235.016  [Removed]

0
20. Remove section 235.016.

PART 252--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
21. Amend section 252.219-7003 by--
0
a. Removing the clause date ``(AUG 2012)'' and adding ``(OCT 2014)'' in 
its place;
0
b. Revising paragraph (a);
0
c. Removing paragraphs (b) and (c);
0
d. Redesignating paragraph (d) as paragraph (b);
0
e. Redesignating paragraphs (e) through (h) as (c) through (f), 
respectively;
0
f. In the newly redesignated paragraph (c) removing ``subcontracts 
awarded'' and adding ``subcontracts awarded to'' in its place;
0
g. In the newly redesignated paragraph (f)--
0
i. In paragraph (f)(2)(i), removing ``(h)(1)(i)'' and adding 
``(f)(1)(i)'' in its place;
0
ii. In paragraph (f)(2)(ii), removing ``(h)(2)(iii)'' and adding 
``(f)(2)(iii)'' in its place; and
0
iii. Removing paragraphs (f)(2)(iv) and (v).
0
h. Revising the Alternate I clause.
    The revisions read as follows:

252.219-7003  Small Business Subcontracting Plan (DoD Contracts).

* * * * *
    (a) Definition. Summary Subcontract Report (SSR) Coordinator, as 
used in this clause, means the individual at the department or agency 
level who is registered in eSRS and is responsible for acknowledging 
receipt or rejecting SSRs in eSRS for the department or agency.
* * * * *

Alternate I (OCT 2014)

    As prescribed in 219.708(b)(1)(A)(2), substitute the following 
paragraph (f)(1)(i) for (f)(1)(i) in the basic clause:

    (f)(1)(i) The Standard Form 294 Subcontracting Report for 
Individual Contracts shall be submitted in accordance with the 
instructions on that form; paragraph (f)(2)(i) is inapplicable.

0
22. Section 252.219-7004 is amended by--
0
a. Removing the clause date ``(JAN 2011)'' and adding ``(OCT 2014)'' in 
its place;
0
b. Revising paragraph (d) introductory text;
0
c. Removing paragraph (e); and
0
d. Redesignating paragraphs (f) and (g) as paragraphs (e) and (f), 
respectively.
    The revision reads as follows:

252.219-7004  Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Test Program).

* * * * *
    (d) The Contractor shall submit SSRs using eSRS at http://www.esrs.gov. The reports shall provide information on subcontract 
awards to small business concerns, veteran-owned small business 
concerns, service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, 
HUBZone small business concerns, small disadvantaged business concerns, 
and women-owned small business concerns. Purchases from a corporation, 
company, or subdivision that is an affiliate of the prime Contractor or 
subcontractor are not included in these reports. Subcontract award data 
reported by prime contractors and subcontractors shall be limited to 
awards made to their immediate next-tier subcontractors. Credit cannot 
be taken for awards made to lower-tier subcontractors unless the 
Contractor or subcontractor has been designated to receive a small 
business or small disadvantaged business credit from a member firm of 
the Alaska Native--Corporations or an Indian tribe. Only subcontracts 
involving performance in the U.S. or its outlying areas should be 
included in these reports.
* * * * *

252.226-7000  [Removed]

0
23. Remove section 252.226-7000.

0
24. Revise section 252.232-7004 to read as follows:

[[Page 61583]]

252.232-7004  DoD Progress Payment Rates.

    As prescribed in 232.502-4-70(b), use the following clause:

DOD PROGRESS PAYMENT RATES (OCT 2014)

    If the Contractor is a small business concern, the Progress 
Payments clause of this contract is modified to change each mention 
of the progress payment rate and liquidations rate (excepting 
paragraph (k), Limitations on Undefinitized Contract Actions) to 90 
percent.

(End of clause)

0
25. Amend Appendix I to Chapter 2 by:
0
a. Revising section I-101.5(a.)
0
b. Amending section I-112.1 by removing paragraph (c).
    The revision reads as follows:

Appendix I to Chapter 2--Policy and Procedures for the DoD Pilot 
Mentor-Protege Program

* * * * *

I-101.5 * * *

    (a) An SDB concern as defined in 13 CFR 124.1002;
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2014-24225 Filed 10-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P
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