[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2713-2724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-551]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 2, 3, 12, 23, 25, and 52

[FAC 2005-30; FAR Case 2000-305; Item II; Docket 2009-0001; Sequence 1]
RIN 9000-AJ55


Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2000-305, Commercially 
Available Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Items

AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration 
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule 
amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Section 
4203 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (41 U.S.C. 431) (the Act) with 
respect to the inapplicability of certain laws to contracts and 
subcontracts for the acquisition of commercially available off-the-
shelf (COTS) items.

DATES: Effective Date: February 17, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Jackson, Procurement 
Analyst, at (202) 208-4949 for clarification of content. For 
information pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the 
FAR Secretariat at (202) 501-4755. Please cite FAC 2005-30, FAR case 
2000-305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    Section 35 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Act 
(41 U.S.C. 431) requires that the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 
include a list of provisions of law that are inapplicable to contracts 
for the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) 
items. Certain laws cannot be exempt from the acquisition of COTS and 
they include laws that--
    <bullet> Provide for criminal or civil penalties;
    <bullet> Specifically refer to 41 U.S.C. 431 and the laws state 
that it applies to COTS;
    <bullet> Provide for a bid protest procedure or small business 
preference listed at 41 U.S.C. 431(a)(3); or
    <bullet> Are applicable because the Administrator of OFPP makes a 
written determination that it would not be in the best interest of the 
United States to exempt such COTS contracts from the applicability of 
the laws.
    In order to implement section 4203 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 
1996, DoD, GSA, and NASA published an advanced notice of proposed rule 
(ANPR) in the Federal Register at 68 FR 4874, January 30, 2003. The 
ANPR listed provisions that may be inapplicable to the acquisition of 
COTS items, and requested public comment. (A prior ANPR had been issued 
under FAR Case 96-308.) The Councils published a proposed rule at 69 FR 
2448, January 15, 2004. The comment period closed on March 15, 2004. 
The Councils received comments from 56 respondents, of which 3 were 
duplicates. The comments were thoroughly examined by the FAR 
Acquisition Law Team, Civilian Agency Acquisition Council (CAAC), and 
Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (DARC).

B. Definition of COTS.

    The Councils received several comments on the definition of COTS.
    1. Include services/IT in the definition. One respondent suggested 
that the definition of COTS item should delete the words ``of supply'' 
from the definition. The respondent states that this is not part of the 
statutory definition. Further, three respondents commented that 
definition of COTS should specifically include services. Another 
respondent suggested additional language in the definition of COTS to 
address software and other information technology products.
    Response: The statute defines ``COTS item'' as an item that ``Is a 
commercial item as described in section 4(12)(A).'' ``Commercial item'' 
is defined at 41 U.S.C. 403(12). Paragraph (A) of that definition reads 
as follows:
    ``Any item, other than real property, that is of a type customarily 
used by the general public or by non-governmental purposes, and that--
    (i) Has been sold, leased, or licensed to the general public; or
    (ii) Has been offered for sale, lease or license to the general 
public.''
    Paragraphs (F) and (G) of the definition deal with commercial 
services. These paragraphs were not referenced in the statutory 
definition of a COTS item. Services are therefore necessarily excluded 
from the definition. To make the definition clearer, the reference to 
the definition of commercial item has been revised to point to the 
first paragraph of the definition of commercial item.
    The Councils have clarified that the words ``of supply'' include

[[Page 2714]]

``construction material''. Although the definition of ``construction 
materials'' states that they are ``supplies'', FAR Part 25 
distinguishes between Buy American Act--Supplies (FAR Subpart 25.1) and 
Buy American Act--Construction materials (FAR Subpart 25.2). Therefore, 
this clarification is beneficial. The OFPP memorandum, dated February 
14, 2008, specifically mentions waiver of the component test at 41 
U.S.C. 10a (supply) and 10b (construction.)
    Since the only laws waived are the component test of the Buy 
American Act and the recycled material estimate and certification, and 
no laws relating to FAR Part 27 have been waived, it is unnecessary to 
specifically mention information technology (IT) or software in the 
definition of COTS item.
    2. ``Without modification''. One respondent considers the phrase 
``without modification'' to be too restrictive. Some COTS products may 
require some type of modification to suit the intended use of the 
product.
    Response: The phrase ``without modification'' is required by 
statute. However, the Councils have added ``under a contract or 
subcontract at any tier'' to clarify that whether an item is a COTS 
item is determined at the point of sale to the next higher tier 
subcontractor. This is consistent with the DoD definition of ``COTS 
item'' as applied to the waiver of specialty metals restrictions when 
acquiring COTS items. If a COTS item is accepted by the next high tier 
without modification, then any waiver applicable to COTS items is 
applicable to this item at the time of acceptance, even if it is 
subsequently modified. Although this distinction is not necessary in 
this particular rule, because both laws being waived apply only at the 
level of the prime contract, it is beneficial to keep this definition 
clear and consistent, in case a law is waived in the future that 
applies at the subcontract level. This intent to address COTS items at 
the subcontract level is demonstrated in section 804 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Pub. L. 110-181), which 
states in paragraph (b) (10 U.S.C. 2533b(h)) that ``This section does 
not apply to contracts or subcontracts for the acquisition of 
commercially available off-the-shelf items, as defined in section 35(c) 
of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 
431(c))[hellip]''.
    3. ``Sold in substantial quantities.'' One respondent requests that 
this should be clarified, that it is not necessary that the contractor 
itself sells substantial quantities. Multiple vendors may sell the item 
in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace.
    Response: This definition is statutory. There is nothing in the 
definition that implies that it is the contractor that must sell the 
item in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace. The way 
the definition reads, the substantial quantities test does apply to the 
item, as suggested by the respondent.
    4. Incorporate definition of COTS into FAR 52.202-1, Definitions. 
One respondent recommended that the definition of COTS item should be 
incorporated into FAR 52.202-1, Definitions, because the proposed rule 
added a cross reference in FAR 52.244-6 to the definition of COTS item 
at FAR 52.202-1.
    Response: This comment was correct at the time, but has been 
overtaken by events. First, the final rule does not make the proposed 
change to FAR 52.244-6. In addition, the clause at FAR 52.202-1 was 
rewritten under another case, so that it no longer contains a list of 
definitions. Rather, it refers to where definitions can be found and 
provides guidance as to which definitions apply, when a term is defined 
in more than one place.
    5. Subset of commercial items. The proposed rule included in the 
definition of COTS item the statement that COTS items are a subset of 
commercial items. Although no public comments were received on this 
issue, the Councils decided that it is redundant to state that COTS 
items are a subset of commercial items when the definition itself 
requires that COTS items meet the definition of the first paragraph of 
the definition of commercial item. This information that COTS items are 
a subset of commercial items is now provided at FAR 12.505, rather than 
in the definition.

C. Implementation of COTS in FAR Part 12.

    The draft final rule modifies FAR Subparts 12.1, 12.3, and 12.5 as 
proposed, to address COTS items, and adds the section 12.505. However, 
because only 2 laws are being waived, section 12.505 has been modified 
to include only those 2 laws, while stating that all laws waived for 
contracts or subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items are 
also waived for COTS (because it is a subset). This more clearly 
identifies the differences that apply to COTS items.
    The rule does not make any change to FAR 12.504, based on the 
recommendation of SBA. An extraneous proposal to delete 15 U.S.C. 
644(d), not directly related to this case, has been removed. SBA states 
that, although FASA attempted to eliminate labor surplus areas for 
purposes of subcontracting, the drafters of FASA missed the reference 
to subcontracting in 15(d) of the Small Business Act. Therefore, until 
this error is corrected, it is better to leave it on the list of laws 
that are inapplicable to subcontracts for the acquisition of COTS 
items.

D. Determination by OFPP.

    After considering the analysis and recommendations as to laws that 
should be waived for the acquisition of COTS items, the Administrator 
for the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, made a determination on 
February 14, 2008, of the laws applicable and laws inapplicable to the 
acquisition of COTS items.
    1. Laws Waived. The Administrator of OFPP exercised the authority 
to wholly or partially waive the following laws:
    a. Buy American Act. A partial waiver of the Buy American Act 
(BAA)(41 U.S.C. 10a and 10b), limited to the Act's domestic components 
test was granted.
    b. Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Act. The Estimate 
of Percentage of Recovered Material Act (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)) was 
waived in its entirety.
    2. Waiver still under consideration. A partial waiver of the 
following law is under consideration and a determination and findings 
will be made on this law at a later date:
    Rights in Technical Data (41 U.S.C. 418a and 10 U.S.C. 2520), 
specifically waiver of--
    <bullet>Unlimited Government rights in data for operation, 
maintenance, installation, or training; and
    <bullet> The Government's right to make unlimited copies.
    3. Laws already inapplicable or modified for the acquisition of 
commercial items. No further modification was made to any of the 
following laws, which have already been determined inapplicable or 
modified for the acquisition of commercial items:
    a. Walsh-Healey, 41 U.S.C. 43.
    b. Contingent Fees, 41 U.S.C. 254(a) and 10 U.S.C. 2306(b).
    c. Minimum response time, 41 U.S.C. 416(a) (3) and (6).
    d. Drug Free Workplace, 41 U.S.C. 701.
    e. Limitation on the use of appropriated funds, 31 U.S.C. 1354(a).
    f. Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, 40 U.S.C. 3701.
    g. Anti-Kickback Act of 1986, 41 U.S.C. 57 (a) and (b), and 58.
    h. Truth in Negotiations Act, 41 U.S.C. 254(d) and 10 U.S.C. 2306a.

[[Page 2715]]

    i. Cost Accounting Standards, 41 U.S.C. 422.
    4. Law not subject to waiver.
    Limitation on appropriated funds to influence certain Federal 
contracting and financial transactions (31 U.S.C. 1352).
    5. Laws that will not be waived because it is not in the best 
interest of the Government. A determination was made that the following 
laws will not be waived for the acquisition of COTS because it is not 
in the best interest of the Government:
    a. Trade Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 2501 and 19 U.S.C. 2512);
    b. Restrictions on Advance Payments (31 U.S.C. 3324).
    c. Employment Reports for Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212(d)(l)).
    d. Validation of Proprietary Data Restrictions (41 U.S.C. 253d and 
10 U.S.C. 2321).
    e. Prohibition on Limiting Subcontractor Direct Sales (41 U.S.C. 
253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402).
    f. Cargo Preference, 10 U.S.C. 2631(a) and 46 U.S.C. 1241(b).
    g. Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities, 29 U.S.C. 793.
    h. Equal opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, 38 U.S.C. 4212.
    i. Examination of records by the Comptroller General, 41 U.S.C. 
254d(c) and 10 U.S.C. 2313(c).
    j. Fly American Act, 49 U.S.C. 40118 (but see 12.503).

E. Discussion and analysis of laws considered for waiver.

    1. Laws Waived.
    a. Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 10a and 10b), component test. Ten 
respondents specifically endorse waiver of the application of the Buy 
American Act (BAA) to COTS and 4 respondents endorse the waiver as part 
of a broad endorsement of the waivers in general, without specific 
identification or comment. Two respondents oppose the waiver of the BAA 
as a whole.
    Some respondents state that the BAA makes it increasingly difficult 
for U.S. companies to compete for Federal business. These laws are out 
of place in the contemporary international market for commercial items. 
Companies must source products globally in order to be competitive in 
the worldwide marketplace. Therefore, companies must choose between 
being competitive in the global market and being competitive in the 
Government market. The BAA usually does not influence COTS 
manufacturers because revenue derived from Government sales is 
typically a very small percentage of overall revenue for COTS.
    <bullet> Therefore, Federal agencies are often denied access to the 
most productive, cost-effective technology.
    <bullet> BAA restrictions may also hamper the Government's ability 
to fully implement federal policies. It may hinder Government access to 
technology compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
(accessible to employees with disabilities) and the most energy-
efficient products, as required by E.O. 13101 and 13123.
    Some respondents are concerned that the Government-unique 
requirement to track where components are being manufactured imposes a 
severe administrative burden, especially on small business. It requires 
contractors to establish and maintain costly and labor intensive 
management systems. Tracking the place of manufacture and component 
value is not necessary for the general origin labeling requirements 
applicable generally in the U.S. commercial market place. BAA 
compliance is a major procurement requirement that adds complexity and 
cost to the delivery of goods to the Government. The increased cost of 
ensuring compliance with the BAA keeps some firms out of the market 
completely and affects the price of products sold to the Government.
    Another issue for respondents is that application of the 
regulations relating to the BAA is very complex and difficult. The 
certification requirements potentially expose manufacturers to civil 
false claims and other legal sanctions, even when they have taken 
extraordinary steps to comply with the BAA.
    Some respondents contend that Congress mandates the elimination, 
where possible, of barriers to the Government's ability to procure 
commercial items.
    Federal agencies contend that it is difficult and causes delay to 
try to obtain case-by-case waivers of the BAA.
    On the other hand, two respondents were concerned that a permanent 
waiver of the BAA should not be granted without reciprocity. These 
respondents believed that the Government needs these provisions to stay 
in general effect so that possibility of waiver will provide incentive 
to encourage other countries to provide reciprocal access. Agencies can 
waive the BAA on a case-by-case basis or for a class of items when it 
is in the public interest to do so.
    Response: The Councils concur with the respondents on the 
especially burdensome nature of the component test. Today's markets are 
globally integrated with foreign components often indistinguishable 
from domestic components. Manufacturers' component purchasing decisions 
are based on factors such as cost, quality, availability, and 
maintaining the state of the art, not the country of origin, making it 
much more difficult in today's market for a manufacturer to guarantee 
the source of its components over the term of a contract. It is even 
more difficult for a dealer to determine and guarantee the source of 
the components included in products on the shelf. The difficulty in 
tracking the country of origin of components is a disincentive for 
firms to become defense contractors, limiting the ability of the 
Government to purchase products already in the commercial distribution 
systems. In today's globally integrated market, it is expensive for 
manufacturers to distinguish between foreign and domestic components. 
Requiring them to do so results in increased costs of procurements and 
impedes the ability to obtain the latest advances in commercial 
technology.
    The rationale provided against waiver of the BAA as a whole is 
resolved by waiving only the component test of the BAA. The component 
test of the BAA has already been waived for all acquisitions subject to 
the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement (WTO 
GPA). By waiving only the component test of the BAA for COTS items, but 
still requiring manufacture in the United States, the Government can 
preserve an incentive to encourage other countries to provide 
reciprocal access, while reducing the significant administrative burden 
on contractors and the associated increased cost to the Government.
    A determination was made that a waiver of the components test would 
allow a COTS item to be treated as a domestic end product if it is 
manufactured in the U.S., without tracking the origin of the 
components. Waiving only the component test of the BAA for COTS items 
and still requiring the end product to be manufactured in the U.S., 
reduces significantly the administrative burden on contractors and the 
associated cost to the Government. The U.S. Trade Representative's 
Office was consulted and did not oppose the partial waiver of the BAA. 
The component test of the BAA was waived because it is in the best 
interest of the U.S. to do so.
    The draft final rule modifies FAR Part 25 and associated clauses to 
implement waiver of the component test of the BAA:
    <bullet> Indication of the new waiver at FAR 25.101 (Buy American 
Act--Supplies, General) and FAR 25.201, (Buy

[[Page 2716]]

American Act--Construction Materials, Policy).
    <bullet> Changes to the definition of ``domestic end product'' and 
``domestic construction material'' at FAR 25.003 and in the associated 
clauses, to include COTS end products or construction materials 
manufactured in the United States for which the component test of the 
Buy American Act has been waived; and
    <bullet> The following FAR provisions and clauses need only minor 
modifications, to incorporate the new definitions, make discussions of 
components applicable only to items other than COTS items, and clarify 
that now a United States end product that does not qualify as a 
domestic end product is an end product that is not a COTS item and does 
not meet the component test in paragraph (2) of the definition of 
``domestic end product'':
    <bullet> 52.225-1 Buy American Act--Supplies.
    <bullet> 52.225-2 Buy American Act Certificate.
    <bullet> 52.225-3 Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli 
Trade Act.
    <bullet> 52.225-4 Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli 
Trade Act Certificate.
    <bullet> 52.225-9 Buy American Act--Construction Materials.
    <bullet> 52.225-10 Notice of Buy American Act Requirement--
Construction Materials.
    <bullet> 52.225-11 Buy American Act--Construction Materials under 
Trade Agreements, and Alternate I.
    <bullet> 52.225-12 Notice of Buy American Act Requirement--
Construction Materials Under Trade Agreements.
    Conforming changes are also required for--
    <bullet> 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications--
Commercial Items;
    <bullet> 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to 
Implement Statutes or Executive Orders--Commercial Items; and
    <bullet> 52.213-4 Terms and Conditions--Simplified Acquisitions 
(Other Than Commercial Items).
    b. Certification and Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material 
(42 U.S.C. 6962 (c)(3)(A)). There were no specific comments supporting 
waiver of the Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Materials. However, 
ten respondents supported waiver as part of broad general support for 
the proposed rule. One respondent specifically opposed to waiver of 42 
U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A), Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material, 
because the respondent feels that it may preclude contractors from 
having to indicate on their products the percent of recycled materials 
contained therein. Information on the recovered material content is 
necessary in order for agencies to carry out the intent of the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Executive order (E.O.) 13101.
    Response: Both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the 
Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE) agree that 
requiring pre-award certification from offerors and a written estimate 
of percentage of recovered materials from the contractor after contract 
completion are unnecessary requirements for COTS. These requirements 
are a paperwork exercise and are not consistent with buying COTS items 
from the commercial market place. The recycled content statement on the 
product packaging serves as the certification and the estimate. The 
Chief Acquisition Officer and Senior Procurement Executive at EPA and 
the OFEE were not opposed to waiving the requirement for certification 
and estimation for COTS items. This does not waive any of the other 
RCRA requirements. The Government will still acquire competitively, in 
a cost-effective manner, products that meet reasonable performance 
requirements and that are composed of the highest percentage of 
recovered materials practicable.
    A determination was made that waiver of this law is in the best 
interest of the Government because the law's requirements are not 
consistent with the acquisition of COTS items in the commercial 
marketplace.
    The only necessary changes to implement this waiver are--
    i. Modification of the clause prescription at FAR 23.406 to exclude 
application to COTS items (as proposed); and
    ii. Modification of FAR 52.212-5(b)(25)(i) and (ii), to indicate 
that FAR 52.223-9 is not applicable to the acquisition of COTS items.
    2. Waiver still under consideration.
    Rights in Technical Data (41 U.S.C. Sec.  418a and 10 U.S.C. Sec.  
2320).
    Ten respondents supported waiver as part of broad general support 
for the proposed rule (Respondents No. 9, 11, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 
38, and 40). No respondents opposed the waiver. However, the Councils 
did not reach consensus on this waiver. The Department of the Treasury 
opposed waiver of this provision. The proposed waiver of the data 
rights statutes is based on the premise that, because COTS items are 
developed at private expense, there would be no Government rights in 
technical data associated therewith. The Councils do not agree entirely 
with this premise. For example, FAR 52.227-14 provides for unlimited 
rights in form, fit and function data; and in manuals and training 
materials necessary for installation, operation, maintenance, and 
repair; regardless of whether such data is developed at Government 
expense. The fact that items delivered under a contract are COTS does 
not diminish the Government's need to operate and repair them, and 
form, fit, and function data could be critical if a COTS item is 
integrated into a Government system and must subsequently be replaced.
    The Councils agree that the relevant statutes do not focus only on 
data related to technologies developed exclusively at the Government's 
expense - they also cover development in whole or in part at private 
expense, including commercial item technologies (this is especially 
clear in the DoD statute, 10 U.S.C. 2320). Further, it is not accurate 
to conclude that the possibility of Government funding for (elements 
of) COTS technologies is always ``irrelevant.'' The statutory schemes 
have numerous elements that are designed to protect important rights 
and proprietary interests of contractors (and subcontractors), 
especially in cases of privately developed or commercial technologies.
    For example, the Government is prohibited from requiring 
contractors to provide the Government with detailed design data, and 
from requiring the contractors to relinquish proprietary rights in data 
related to proprietary or commercial technologies, as a condition of 
contract award (see 418a(a), and 2320(a)(2)(F)). Additionally, the DoD 
scheme specifically and expressly addresses the rights in data related 
to technologies developed in whole or in part at private expense 
(2320(a)(2)(B) & (C)), and the civilian statutes requires the 
regulations to address these funding scenarios (418a(c)(1)). Both 
statutory schemes also recognize the special requirements under the 
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which allow the 
small business to treat even 100 percent Government-funded technologies 
as proprietary for certain periods.
    Similarly, the schemes identify and protect the interests of the 
Government in acquiring and using data for certain important purposes, 
such as operation and maintenance, or emergency repair and overhaul, of 
the item. These protections of interests, both for the contractors/
subcontractors and the Government, are equally applicable to COTS items 
as for other commercial items or noncommercial items (as the Department 
of Treasury notes).
    All of these considerations demonstrate that the statutory schemes

[[Page 2717]]

are designed to balance Government and private interests in all such 
acquisitions, and thus should not be waived in their entirety for COTS 
item acquisitions.
    3. Laws already inapplicable or modified for the acquisition of 
commercial items. None of the respondents commented specifically on any 
of these laws that are already inapplicable or modified for the 
acquisition of commercial items, as identified in section C.3. of this 
notice.
    4. Law not subject to waiver.
    Limitation on appropriated funds to influence certain Federal 
contracting and financial transactions (31 U.S.C. 1352). After 
publication of the proposed rule, the Councils determined that this 
statute is not eligible for waiver because it provides for criminal or 
civil penalties.
    5. Laws that will not be waived because it is not in the best 
interest of the Government.
    a. Trade Agreements Act (TAA)(19 U.S.C. 2501 and 19 U.S.C. 2512). 
Many of the respondents (21) endorse waiver of the application of the 
trade agreements prohibitions to COTS.
    On the other hand, 4 respondents (including the United States Trade 
Representative (USTR) and the Department of Commerce) opposed the 
waiver.
    The proponents of waiver of the purchase restrictions of the Trade 
Agreements Act (TAA) contend that--
    i. The TAA makes it increasingly difficult for U.S. companies to 
compete for Federal business. These laws are out of place in the 
contemporary international market for commercial items. Companies must 
source products globally in order to be competitive in the worldwide 
marketplace. Therefore, companies must choose between being competitive 
in the global market and being competitive in the Government market. 
The trade agreements procurement restriction usually does not influence 
COTS manufacturers because revenue derived from Government sales is 
typically a very small percentage of overall revenue for COTS.
    <bullet> Therefore, Federal agencies are often denied access to the 
most productive, cost-effective technology.
    <bullet> TAA restrictions may also hamper the Government's ability 
to fully implement Federal policies. It may hinder Government access to 
technology compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
(accessible to employees with disabilities) and the most energy-
efficient products, as required by E.O. 13101 and 13123.
    <bullet> Although most IT and electronics manufacturing now occurs 
in Asia, only 4 Asian countries have signed the GPA - Hong Kong, Japan, 
Singapore, and the Republic of Korea. Asian countries not signatories 
include China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
    ii. The Government-unique requirement to track where products are 
being manufactured imposes a severe administrative burden. It requires 
contractors to establish and maintain costly and labor intensive 
management systems. TAA compliance is a major procurement requirement 
that adds complexity and cost to the delivery of goods to the 
Government. The increased cost of ensuring compliance with the TAA 
keeps some firms out of the market completely.
    iii. Application of the regulations relating to trade agreements is 
very complex and difficult. It is often difficult to determine 
``substantial transformation'' for purposes of the TAA. The 
certification requirements potentially expose manufacturers to civil 
False Claims and other legal sanctions, even when they have taken 
extraordinary steps to comply with the TAA.
    iv. Congress mandates the elimination, where possible, of barriers 
to the Government's ability to procure commercial items.
    v. Barring access to the U.S. Government market has not provided 
the leverage to open foreign government markets that U.S. trade 
negotiators may have envisioned when the TAA was passed. Several 
commenters state that of the 145 WTO member countries, only 28 
countries have signed the GPA in 25 years, 23 of the signatories being 
original signatories.
    vi. The restrictions of the TAA are not required by any treaty of 
international agreement, including the GPA. The commenters believe that 
the U.S. is the only GPA signatory to enact such market restrictions.
    vii. It is difficult and causes delay to try to obtain case-by-case 
waivers of the trade agreements.
    The opponents of waiver of the purchase restrictions of the TAA 
contend that--
    i. A permanent waiver would significantly disadvantage U.S. 
suppliers, especially small businesses, without providing reciprocal 
market access for them. China, Malaysia, and the Philippines have not 
joined the GPA or provided benefits in a bilateral agreement.
    ii. USTR's ability to waive the TAA purchasing restriction on a 
case-by-case basis has been a key element in its ability to negotiate 
reciprocal market access for U.S. suppliers in the government 
procurement markets of foreign countries, through bilateral FTAs, as 
well as accession to the GPA. In recent years, USTR has concluded new 
FTAs with Chile, Australia, Morocco, and more agreements are pending. A 
permanent waiver for COTS would severely undermine leverage that is 
critical to USTR's ability to negotiate such agreements.
    iii. There is no need for a permanent waiver, because waivers can 
be granted on a case-by-case basis when in the national interest.
    Response: The TAA essentially outlines a process for approval of 
trade agreements, and the relationship of trade agreements to U.S. law. 
A determination was made that a waiver of the prohibition on 
acquisitions of products from countries that have not entered into 
trade agreements with the United States would put U.S. suppliers, 
especially small businesses, at a significant disadvantage without 
providing reciprocal market access for them. China, Malaysia, and the 
Philippines have not joined the GPA or provided benefits in a bilateral 
agreement. USTR's ability to waive the TAA purchasing restriction on a 
case-by-case basis has been a key element in its ability to negotiate 
reciprocal market access for U.S. suppliers in the government 
procurement markets of foreign countries, through bilateral Free Trade 
Agreements (FTA), as well as consent to the GPA. In recent years, USTR 
has concluded new FTAs with Chile, Australia, Morocco, Bahrain, 
Dominican Republic-Central America, and more agreements are pending. 
Therefore, a permanent waiver is not in the best interests of the 
Government because it would severely undermine leverage that is 
critical to USTR's ability to negotiate such agreements. USTR can grant 
waivers on a case-by-case basis when in the national interest.
    b. Restrictions on Advance Payments (31 U.S.C. 3324). The Councils 
received 10 comments that supported waiver as part of broad general 
support for the proposed rule and two comments specifically supporting 
the waiver of the restriction on advance payments, whereas one 
respondent specifically opposed the waiver of the restriction on 
advance payments.
    One respondent supported waiving the restriction on the basis that 
it would permit the Government to follow the common business practice 
of ``payment due upon receipt.'' Another respondent supported waiving 
the restriction because it also believes that it is common business 
practice to make payment for IT support packages at the beginning of 
the term. The respondent that opposed the waiver of the statute

[[Page 2718]]

was concerned that contracting officers will be faced with demands for 
advance payments for routine COTS purchases.
    Response: In addition to permitting invoicing upon delivery to the 
``point of first receipt by the Government,'' the proposed rule would 
also have allowed invoicing upon delivery of supplies to a post office 
or common carrier. Consequently, the Government might be obligated to 
make payment before receipt.
    This statute prohibits, except in certain circumstances, payment in 
excess of the value of supplies or services already delivered or 
provided. 31 U.S.C. 3324(b) provides that an advance of public money 
may be made only if it is authorized by a specific appropriation or 
other law or as authorized by the President in some circumstances. 41 
U.S.C. 255(f) and 10 U.S.C. 2307(f) provide some authority for advance 
payments for commercial items, but treat this as Government financing 
and require the Government to obtain adequate security. It was 
determined that a permanent waiver is not necessary because 41 U.S.C. 
Sec.  255(f) (as implemented by FAR 32.2, Commercial Item Purchase 
Financing, specifically FAR 32.202-4(a)(2)) already authorizes advance 
payments for commercial item acquisitions, and agencies have the 
authority to waive, if it is in the best of the Government.
    c. Employment Reports for Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212(d)(l)). The 
Councils received one comment specifically in favor of waiving the 
statute and 10 respondents supported waiver as part of broad general 
support for the proposed rule. The Councils also received 2 responses 
specifically opposed to the waiver.
    The respondents who favored waiver contended that waiving the 
statute only affects the submission of a report and data gathering. By 
waiving the statute, an administrative function would be eliminated but 
the intent to continue with the regulations to promote veteran 
employment would remain unchanged.
    Respondents who objected to waiver of the statute feared that 
veteran programs would be impacted.
    Response: This statute requires that each contractor that enters 
into a contract in excess of $100,000 for personal property and non-
personal services, including construction, provide an annual report to 
the Secretary of Labor that includes specific information about their 
contractor workforce. The report requires Federal contractors and 
subcontractors to ``take affirmative action'' to hire and promote 
qualified special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era and 
any veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or 
expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized. Congress has 
taken a keen interest in the VETS 100 Report, as evidenced by Section 
1354 of Public Law 105-339, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 
1998, which supports this reporting requirement. A determination was 
made not to waive the requirement for contractors to file employment 
reports because it is not in the best interest of the Government to do 
so.
    d. Validation of Proprietary Data Restrictions (41 U.S.C. 253d and 
10 U.S.C. 2321). 10 respondents supported waiver as part of broad 
general support for the proposed rule. No respondents opposed the 
waiver.
    Response: This statute provides an extensive procedure for due 
process for a Government contractor when the Government has a suspicion 
that technical data the contractor is claiming to be proprietary was, 
in fact, produced under a Government contract and was not produced at 
private expense. The validation scheme is also carefully structured to 
balance the interest of all parties, and create a uniform mechanism to 
determine the appropriate allocation of rights in the data. These 
statutes establish procedures, rights, and legal remedies regarding the 
validation of the asserted proprietary restrictions. A determination 
was made that these statutes should be available to balance the 
interest of all parties involved in an acquisition, including COTS.
    e. Prohibition on Limiting Subcontractor Direct Sales (41 U.S.C. 
253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402). Nine respondents supported waiver as part of 
broad general support for the proposed rule. One respondent opposed the 
waiver.This respondent stated that this exemption has some potential 
for harming small business and the Federal Government itself.
    Response: This statute was enacted as part of Pub. L. 98-577, which 
was intended by Congress as a comprehensive solution to ``$600 toilet 
seats and $400 hammers.'' This provision answered the practice of major 
defense contractors prohibiting their subcontractors from selling 
directly to the Government. In the past, when the prime contractor 
wanted to be the source to the Government, they would charge at least a 
material overhead to any cost or price from the subcontractor/supplier. 
Waiving this Act would allow prime contractors to restrict their 
subcontractors from selling directly to the Government and limit 
opportunities for small businesses, including women-owned and minority-
owned businesses. A determination was made not to waive this Act so as 
to ensure competition is preserved for all sectors of the economy.
    f. Cargo Preference, 10 U.S.C. 2631(a) and 46 U.S.C. 1241(b). The 
Councils did not receive any comments specifically supporting waiver of 
the cargo preference laws for acquisition of COTS. 10 respondents 
supported waiver as part of broad general support for the proposed 
rule. 14 respondents specifically opposed a waiver of Cargo Preference 
laws for COTS, including the following Government agencies:
    <bullet> U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)(Department of 
Transportation)
    <bullet> MARAD, Division of Maritime Programs
    <bullet> Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and 
Logistics)
    <bullet> United States Transportation Command (Department of 
Defense)
    Opponents of the waiver of Cargo Preference laws when acquiring 
COTS items present the following rationale:
    i. The Cargo Preference laws are vital to maintaining a viable 
merchant marine, including both vessels and mariners.
    ii. The proposed waiver is contrary to the Government's maritime 
policy. The Secretary of Transportation stated in March 2004 that 
``cargo preference laws are essential elements of America's national 
maritime policy.''
    iii. Many respondents state that the COTS category represents the 
vast preponderance of cargo that is carried for or sponsored by the 
U.S. Government. The MARAD Administrator states that waiver could 
result in the potential loss of nearly $1.2 billion in revenue to U.S. 
flag vessel operators and further loss to the economy through job loss. 
The American Maritime Congress believes that finalization of this 
waiver will eventually result in more than 100 U.S.-flag vessels in the 
international trades leaving the U.S. flag, and points out further 
adverse impact on foreign exchange, and reduced Federal tax revenues.
    iv. Weakening of the U.S. maritime industry will adversely impact 
our country's ability to respond to international crises. We need U.S.-
flag vessels to transport troops, machinery, and medical and other 
critical supplies throughout the world during contingencies or war.
    v. The waiver will put at risk two DoD programs (the Voluntary 
Intermodal Sealift Agreement and the Maritime Security Program) that 
are essential to U.S. security interests. Through these

[[Page 2719]]

programs, DoD has immediate access to reliable commercial maritime 
assets at a fraction of the cost it would incur if it had to replicate 
those assets (Transportation Institute). Shippers cannot dedicate 
valuable assets to the defense and other governmental needs of the 
United States unless they can rely on a steady flow of cargoes.
    vi. DoD needs a viable merchant marine to provide a pool of trained 
mariners from which DoD crews Defense reserve ships.
    vii. U.S.-flag commercial vessels are forced to operate in an 
international shipping arena that is dominated by state owned and 
controlled merchant fleets. They are financially disadvantaged due to 
higher labor costs, vessel standards, and tax disadvantages. Therefore, 
the U.S.-flag vessels require the help of the U.S. Government to 
compete.
    viii. Waiving the Cargo Preference laws at this time would be 
inequitable, because shipping companies have relied upon the present 
laws to take irrevocable business actions.
    ix. The American Shipbuilding Association is further concerned that 
this waiver would adversely impact the defense shipbuilding industry, 
which in turn, will threaten America's ability to build a Navy and 
impact the national security of the United States.
    x. The FAR Council already made the determination that waiver of 
Cargo Preference laws for all commercial subcontracts was not in the 
best interest of the Government. 41 U.S.C. 430 requires that provisions 
of law described in 41 U.S.C. 430(c) shall be included on the list of 
inapplicable provisions of law to subcontracts for the procurement of 
commercial items unless the FAR Council makes a written determination 
that such exemption would not be in the best interest of the 
Government. On May 1, 1996, the Administrator of OFPP signed a 
memorandum stating the policy that the waiver of Cargo preference for 
commercial subcontracts ``is not intended to waive compliance with the 
Cargo Preference Laws for ocean cargos clearly destined for eventual 
military or Government use.'' This memorandum was the result of 
extensive negotiations between representatives from the national 
Economic Council, OFPP, DoD, MARAD, and the maritime industry. In 2002, 
a formal determination was signed by all members of the FAR Council 
that it would be in the best interest of the Government to limit the 
waiver of the Cargo preference laws, in accordance with the OFPP 
memorandum, dated May 1, 1996, as implemented in the FAR through FAR 
Case 1999-024.
    Response: 10 U.S.C. 2631(a), Transportation of Supplies by Sea (The 
Cargo Preference Act of 1904), requires the use of only U.S.-flag 
vessels for ocean transportation of supplies owned by, or destined for 
use by for the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps unless those 
vessels are not available at fair and reasonable rates. 46 U.S.C. 
1241(b), Transportation in American Vessels of Government Personnel and 
Certain Cargo (The Cargo Preference Act of 1954), requires that 
Government agencies acquiring, either within or outside the United 
States, supplies that may require ocean transportation shall ensure 
that at least 50 percent of the gross tonnage of these supplies 
(computed separately for dry bulk carriers, dry cargo liners, and 
tankers) is transported on privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels 
to the extent that such vessels are available at rates that are fair 
and reasonable for U.S.-flag commercial vessels. The Cargo Preference 
laws are vital to maintaining a viable merchant marine, including both 
vessels and mariners and are essential elements of America's national 
maritime policy. Therefore, a determination was made that it is not in 
the best interest of the Government to waive this Act.
    g. Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities, 29 U.S.C. 793. 
The Councils did not receive any specific comments in favor of waiving 
the statute. 10 respondents supported waiver as part of broad general 
support for the proposed rule. The Councils received 2 responses 
specifically opposed to waiver, i.e.--
    <bullet>Department of Veterans Affairs
    <bullet> U.S. Department of Labor
    ANALYSIS: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) objected to 
waiver on the grounds that, in meeting its mission to support veterans, 
including those who with service related disabilities, the VA purchases 
mostly COTS items and would consider it unfair for the VA to purchase 
supplies from companies that would not be required to comply with the 
statute.
    The Department of Labor stated that ``The relatively minor burdens 
imposed on contractors by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973, (29 U.S.C. Sec.  793) are justified by the significant benefits 
the law provides for disabled job applicants and workers. The Census 
Bureau estimates that approximately 18.6 million American workers have 
disabilities. Section 503 requires, for example, that contractors 
recruit qualified applicants with disabilities for job openings, 
develop anti-disability harassment policies, and refrain from 
discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. 
Reducing protections for qualified job applicants and workers with 
disabilities would not be consistent with the President's New Freedom 
Initiative, designed to ensure that Americans with disabilities have 
the opportunity to learn and develop skills and to engage in productive 
work.''
    Response: A determination was made that the requirements of the 
affirmative action provision are justified by the significant benefits 
the law provides for disabled job applicants and workers. Reducing 
protections for qualified job applicants and workers with disabilities 
would not be consistent with the President's New Freedom Initiative.
    h. Equal opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, 38 U.S.C. 4212. 
The Councils did not receive any specific comments in favor of waiving 
the statute. 10 respondents supported waiver as part of broad general 
support for the proposed rule. The Councils received 3 responses 
specifically opposed to waiver, including--
    <bullet> Department of Veterans Affairs
    <bullet> U.S. Department of Labor
    The Department of Veterans Affairs raised objections to waiver on 
the grounds that, in meeting its mission to support veterans, including 
those with service related disabilities, the VA purchases mostly COTS 
items and would consider it unfair for the VA to purchase supplies from 
companies that would not be required to comply with the statute.
    The Department of Labor objects to waiving the statute on the basis 
that the relatively minor burdens imposed by the affirmative action 
provision are justified by the significant direct benefits for 
individual protected veterans. Waiving the law would reduce possible 
job opportunities for veterans.
    Another respondent stated that ``At a time when our nation is at 
war and our veterans are returning home[hellip]every effort should be 
made to ensure their employment rather than limit their 
opportunities''.
    Response : It was determined that the affirmative action provision 
is justified by the significant direct benefits for individual 
protected veterans, and we must make every effort to ensure their 
employment.
    i. Examination of records by the Comptroller General, 41 U.S.C. 
254d(c) and 10 U.S.C. 2313(c). The Councils did not receive any 
comments specifically supporting waiver of the examination of records 
by the Comptroller General for acquisition of COTS. 10 respondents 
supported waiver as part of broad general support for the proposed 
rule.

[[Page 2720]]

The Councils received comments from 2 respondents opposed the waiver.
    One respondent objected to waiver of the examination of records by 
the Comptroller General because this is the last remaining general 
contractual audit authority applicable to commercial items. If this 
authority is removed, the Government will have no routine audit 
authority. The respondent cites legislative history that Congress did 
not intend to eliminate this authority.
    Another respondent also strongly objects to waiver of this 
authority, stating that removal would improperly restrict the authority 
of the Comptroller General's ability to review and examine contractor 
records related to the expenditure of public funds.
    Response: This is the only general contractual audit authority 
applicable to commercial items. Thus it was determined that although 
access to contractor records will not generally be necessary because of 
the protection provided by competitive procedures of the marketplace, 
the Comptroller General should have the ability to examine records if 
the need arises.
    j. Fly American Act, 49 U.S.C. 40118. The Councils did not receive 
any comments specifically supporting waiver of the cargo preference 
laws for acquisition of COTS. 10 respondents supported waiver as part 
of broad general support for the proposed rule. The Councils received 2 
responses specifically opposed to the waiver of the Fly American Act 
for acquisition of COTS, i.e.--
    <bullet> United States Transportation Command
    <bullet> Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and 
Logistics)
    Opponents of the waiver of the Fly American Act when acquiring COTS 
items present the following rationale:
    i. The Fly American Act is vital to maintaining a viable U.S. air 
carrier industry, which is heavily relied on by DoD during 
contingencies or war.
    ii. Weakening of the U.S. air industry will adversely impact our 
country's ability to move forces and equipment during contingencies or 
war.
    Response: The Fly American Act is not applicable to subcontracts 
for the acquisition of commercial items. The requirement for use of a 
clause is not applicable to prime contracts for the acquisition of 
commercial items, but the requirements of the Act still apply. A 
determination was made that the Fly American Act is vital for 
maintaining a viable U.S. air carrier industry, which is heavily relied 
upon by DoD during contingencies or war.

F. Other public comments.

    1. Recommend an Alternate I to proposed clause 52.212-XX, for 
paperless writing systems. DoD uses a process called Automatic Clause 
Selection, rather than having the contracting officer check off 
applicable clauses from the list.
    Response: The final rule will not include the new clause 52.212-XX, 
but will continue to use FAR clause 52.212-5. Furthermore, DoD already 
has a deviation in place for this clause that meets the needs of a 
paperless system.
    2. Limit the imposition of non-commercial terms and conditions. 
Multiple respondents were concerned about the proliferation of 
Government-unique clauses in contracts for the acquisition of COTS 
items, and want limitations imposed on the authority of the contracting 
officer to include clauses that are not commonly used with COTS items 
being procured in the marketplace.
    Response: This suggestion is outside the scope of the case.
    3. DFARS 212.504 still applies for DoD procurements. This 
respondent wants to ensure that for DoD COTS procurement, 10 U.S.C. 
2320 and 2321 (dealing with technical data rights), which are listed at 
DFARS 212.504, are still waived.
    Response: This is outside the scope of this case.
    4. Use of ``et seq.''. Several respondents were concerned that in 
some cases the statutory references followed by ``et seq.'' were too 
broad.
    Response: This issue has been resolved in the final rule. The term 
``et seq.'' is not used in the statutory references for laws to be 
waived in the final rule.
    5. Significant rule. Several respondents were concerned that the 
proposed rule would satisfy the economic impact threshold for a major 
rule and clearly meets the threshold requirements to be classified as a 
significant rule.
    Response: The statutes that were of particular concern to these 
respondents (Cargo Preference) have not been waived. Therefore, the 
comments are no longer relevant.
    6. Comments no longer applicable. There are several comments not 
specifically addressed in this Federal Register notice, because they 
are no longer applicable, due to other changes in the final rule.
    7. E-verify. The councils note that the FAR 2.101 definition of 
``Commercially available off the shelf (COTS) item'' differs from the 
COTS definition in 22.1801. Pursuant to the FAR treatment of 
definitions, the COTS definition is 22.1801 is solely applicable to 
issues arising under Subpart 22.18 and associated clause (FAR case 
2007-013).
    This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 
subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, 
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is 
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

G. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration certify that this 
final rule will not 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 this rule relieves 
burdens rather than imposes burdens. Only 2 laws have been waived, and 
the relief to small business is not considered to be of significant 
economic impact.

H. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) applies because 
the final rule will result in reduced burdens under OMB Control number 
9000-0024 (52.225-2), 9000-0130 (52.225-4), 9000-0134 (52.223-9), and 
9000-0141 (52.225-9 and 52.225-11). The Councils anticipate the 
following reductions:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Current                                                     Revised
         OMB Control No.              respondents      Current responses     Current hours        respondents      Revised responses     Revised hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9000-0024.......................        3,707 x 15 =    55,605 x 0.109 =               6,061          3,521 x 15       52,815 x .109           5,757 hrs
9000-0130.......................         1,140 x 5 =      5,700 x .117 =                 667          1083 x 5 =       5415 x .117 =             634 hrs
9000-0134.......................        64,350 x 1 =     64,350 x .325 =              20,913              64 x 1           64 x .325              21 hrs
9000-0141.......................           500 x 2 =       1,000 x 2.5 =               2,500           450 x 2 =         900 x 2.5 =           2,250 hrs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 2721]]

    A Paperwork Burden Act Change to pertinent existing burdens has 
been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 
Chapter 35, et seq.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 2, 3, 12, 23, 25, and 52

    Government procurement.

    Dated: December 24, 2008
Edward Loeb,
Acting Director, Office of Acquisition Policy.

0
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 2, 3, 12, 23, 25, and 
52 as set forth below:
0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 2, 3, 12, 23, 25, and 52 
continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 
U.S.C. 2473(c).

PART 2--DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS

0
2. Amend section 2.101 in paragraph (b)(2) by adding, in alphabetical 
order, the definition ``Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) 
item'' to read as follows:


2.101  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * *
    Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item (1) Means any item 
of supply (including construction material) that is--
    (i) A commercial item (as defined in paragraph (1) of the 
definition in this section);
    (ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace; 
and
    (iii) Offered to the Government, under a contract or subcontract at 
any tier, without modification, in the same form in which it is sold in 
the commercial marketplace; and
    (2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in section 3 of the 
Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. App. 1702), such as agricultural 
products and petroleum products.
* * * * *

PART 3--IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF 
INTEREST

0
3. Revise section 3.503-2 to read as follows:


3.503-2  Contract clause.

    The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.203-6, 
Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government, in solicitations 
and contracts exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, except 
when contracts are for the acquisition of commercially available off-
the-shelf items. For the acquisition of commercial items, the 
contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate I.

PART 12--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS

0
4. Add section 12.103 to read as follows:


12.103  Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items.

    COTS items are defined in 2.101. Unless indicated otherwise, all of 
the policies that apply to commercial items also apply to COTS. Section 
12.505 lists the laws that are not applicable to COTS (in addition to 
12.503 and 12.504); the components test of the Buy American Act, and 
the two recovered materials certifications in Subpart 23.4, do not 
apply to COTS.


12.301  [Amended]

0
5. Amend section 12.301 in the first sentence of paragraph (b)(4) by 
removing ``executive orders'' and adding ``Executive orders'' in its 
place;
0
6. Revise the heading of Subpart 12.5 to read as follows.

Subpart 12.5--Applicability of Certain Laws to the Acquisition of 
Commercial Items and Commercially Available Off-The-Shelf Items

0
7. Revise section 12.500 to read as follows:


12.500  Scope of subpart.

    (a) As required by sections 34 and 35 of the Office of Federal 
Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 430 and 431), this subpart lists 
provisions of law that are not applicable to--
    (1) Contracts for the acquisition of commercial items;
    (2) Subcontracts, at any tier, for the acquisition of commercial 
items; and
    (3) Contracts and subcontracts, at any tier, for the acquisition of 
COTS items.
    (b) This subpart also lists provisions of law that have been 
amended to eliminate or modify their applicability to either contracts 
or subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items.
0
8. Amend section 12.502 by adding paragraph (c) to read as follows:


12.502  Procedures.

* * * * *
    (c) The FAR prescription for the provision or clause for each of 
the laws listed in 12.505 has been revised in the appropriate part to 
reflect its proper application to contracts and subcontracts for the 
acquisition of COTS items.
0
9. Add section 12.505 to read as follows:


12.505  Applicability of certain laws to contracts for the acquisition 
of COTS items.

    COTS items are a subset of commercial items. Therefore, any laws 
listed in sections 12.503 and 12.504 are also inapplicable or modified 
in their applicability to contracts or subcontracts for the acquisition 
of COTS items. In addition, the following laws are not applicable to 
contracts for the acquisition of COTS items:
    (a)(1) 41 U.S.C. 10a, portion of first sentence that reads 
``substantially all from articles, materials, or supplies mined, 
produced, or manufactured, as the case may be, in the United States,'' 
Buy American Act--Supplies, component test (see 52.225-1 and 52.225-3).
    (2) 41 U.S.C. 10b, portion of first sentence that reads 
``substantially all from articles, materials, or supplies mined, 
produced, or manufactured, as the case may be, in the United States,'' 
Buy American Act--Construction Materials, component test (see 52.225-9 
and 52.225-11).
    (b) 42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A), Certification and Estimate of 
Percentage of Recovered Material.

PART 23--ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY, RENEWABLE ENERGY 
TECHNOLOGIES, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, AND DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

0
10. Amend section 23.406 by revising the introductory text of paragraph 
(c); and removing from paragraph (d) ``Insert'' and adding ``Except for 
the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items, 
insert'', in its place. The revised text reads as follows:


23.406  Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

* * * * *
    (c) Except for the acquisition of commercially available off-the-
shelf items, insert the provision at 52.223-4, Recovered Material 
Certification, in solicitations that--
* * * * *

PART 25--FOREIGN ACQUISITION

0
11. Amend section 25.003 by revising the definitions ``Domestic 
construction material'' and ``Domestic end product'' to read as 
follows:


25.003  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Domestic construction material means--

[[Page 2722]]

    (1) An unmanufactured construction material mined or produced in 
the United States;
    (2) A construction material manufactured in the United States, if--
    (i) The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured in 
the United States exceeds 50 percent of the cost of all its components. 
Components of foreign origin of the same class or kind for which 
nonavailability determinations have been made are treated as domestic; 
or
    (ii) The construction material is a COTS item.
    Domestic end product means--
    (1) An unmanufactured end product mined or produced in the United 
States;
    (2) An end product manufactured in the United States, if--
    (i) The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured in 
the United States exceeds 50 percent of the cost of all its components. 
Components of foreign origin of the same class or kind as those that 
the agency determines are not mined, produced, or manufactured in 
sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of a 
satisfactory quality are treated as domestic. Scrap generated, 
collected, and prepared for processing in the United States is 
considered domestic; or
    (ii) The end product is a COTS item.
* * * * *
0
12. Revise section 25.100 to read as follows:


25.100  Scope of subpart.

    (a) This subpart implements--
    (1) The Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 10a - 10d);
    (2) Executive Order 10582, December 17, 1954; and
    (3) Waiver of the component test of the Buy American Act for 
acquisitions of commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items in 
accordance with 41 U.S.C 431.
    (b) It applies to supplies acquired for use in the United States, 
including supplies acquired under contracts set aside for small 
business concerns, if--
    (1) The supply contract exceeds the micro-purchase threshold; or
    (2) The supply portion of a contract for services that involves the 
furnishing of supplies (e.g., lease) exceeds the micro-purchase 
threshold.
0
13. Amend section 25.101 by revising paragraph (a)(2) to read as 
follows:


25.101  General.

    (a) * * *
    (2) The cost of domestic components must exceed 50 percent of the 
cost of all the components. In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 431, this 
component test of the Buy American Act has been waived for acquisitions 
of COTS items (see 12.505(a)).
* * * * *
0
14. Revise section 25.200 to read as follows:


25.200  Scope of subpart.

    (a) This subpart implements--
    (1) The Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 10a - 10d);
    (2) Executive Order 10582, December 17, 1954; and
    (3) Waiver of the component test of the Buy American Act for 
acquisitions of commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items in 
accordance with 41 U.S.C. 431.
    (b) It applies to contracts for the construction, alteration, or 
repair of any public building or public work in the United States.

PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
15. Amend section 52.212-3 by--
0
a. Revising the date of clause;
0
b. Revising paragraph (f)(1); and
0
c. Revising paragraph (g)(1)(i) and the last sentence of paragraph 
(g)(1)(iii).
    The revised text reads as follows:


52.212-3  Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items.

* * * * *
    OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (FEB 
2009)

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) The offeror certifies that each end product, except those 
listed in paragraph (f)(2) of this provision, is a domestic end 
product and that for other than COTS items, the offeror has 
considered components of unknown origin to have been mined, 
produced, or manufactured outside the United States. The offeror 
shall list as foreign end products those end products manufactured 
in the United States that do not qualify as domestic end products, 
i.e., an end product that is not a COTS item and does not meet the 
component test in paragraph (2) of the definition of ``domestic end 
product.'' The terms ``commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) 
item,'' ``component,'' ``domestic end product,'' ``end product,'' 
``foreign end product,'' and ``United States'' are defined in the 
clause of this solicitation entitled ``Buy American Act--Supplies.''
* * * * *
    (g)(1) * * *
    (i) The offeror certifies that each end product, except those 
listed in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) or (g)(1)(iii) of this provision, is 
a domestic end product and that for other than COTS items, the 
offeror has considered components of unknown origin to have been 
mined, produced, or manufactured outside the United States. The 
terms ``Bahrainian or Moroccan end product,'' ``commercially 
available off-the-shelf (COTS) item,'' ``component,'' ``domestic end 
product,'' ``end product,'' ``foreign end product,'' ``Free Trade 
Agreement country,'' ``Free Trade Agreement country end product,'' 
``Israeli end product,'' and ``United States'' are defined in the 
clause of this solicitation entitled ``Buy American Act-Free Trade 
Agreements-Israeli Trade Act.''
* * * * *
    (iii) * * * The offeror shall list as other foreign end products 
those end products manufactured in the United States that do not 
qualify as domestic end products, i.e., an end product that is not a 
COTS item and does not meet the component test in paragraph (2) of 
the definition of ``domestic end product.''
* * * * *

    (End of provision)
0
16. Amend section 52.212-5 by revising the date of the clause and 
paragraph (b)(27); by removing from paragraph (b)(30) ``(June 2003)'' 
and adding ``(FEB 2009)'' in its place; and by removing from paragraph 
(b)(31)(i) ``(Aug 2007)'' and adding ``(FEB 2009)'' in its place. The 
revised text reads as follows:


52.212-5  Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes 
or Executive Orders--Commercial Items.

* * * * *
    CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR 
EXECUTIVE ORDERS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (FEB 2009)

* * * * *
    ---- (b)(27)(i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered 
Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 
6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of 
commercially available off-the-shelf items.)
    ---- (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 
6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially 
available off-the-shelf items.)
* * * * *

    (End of clause)


52.213-4  [Amended]

0
17. Amend section 52.213-4 by removing from the clause heading ``(Dec 
2008)'' and adding ``(FEB 2009)'' in its place; and by removing from 
paragraph (b)(1)(ix) ``(June 2003)'' and adding ``(FEB 2009)'' in its 
place.
0
18. Amend section 52.225-1 by revising the date of the clause; by 
adding in paragraph (a), in alphabetical order, the definition 
``Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item'' and revising the 
definition ``Domestic end product''; and by revising paragraph (b) to 
read as follows:


52.225-1  Buy American Act--Supplies.

* * * * *

[[Page 2723]]

    BUY AMERICAN ACT--SUPPLIES (FEB 2009)

    (a) Definitions. * * *
    Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item-- (1) Means any 
item of supply (including construction material) that is--
    (i) A commercial item (as defined in paragraph (1) of the 
definition at FAR 2.101);
    (ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial 
marketplace; and
    (iii) Offered to the Government, under a contract or subcontract 
at any tier, without modification, in the same form in which it is 
sold in the commercial marketplace; and
    (2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in section 3 of the 
Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. App. 1702), such as agricultural 
products and petroleum products.
* * * * *
    Domestic end product means--
    (1) An unmanufactured end product mined or produced in the 
United States;
    (2) An end product manufactured in the United States, if--
    (i) The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured 
in the United States exceeds 50 percent of the cost of all its 
components. Components of foreign origin of the same class or kind 
as those that the agency determines are not mined, produced, or 
manufactured in sufficient and reasonably available commercial 
quantities of a satisfactory quality are treated as domestic. Scrap 
generated, collected, and prepared for processing in the United 
States is considered domestic; or
    (ii) The end product is a COTS item.
* * * * *
    (b) The Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 10a - 10d) provides a 
preference for domestic end products for supplies acquired for use 
in the United States. In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 431, the 
component test of the Buy American Act is waived for an end product 
that is a COTS item (See 12.505(a)(1)).
* * * * *

    (End of clause)
0
19. Amend section 52.225-2 by revising the date of the provision and 
paragraph (a) to read as follows:


52.225-2  Buy American Act Certificate.

* * * * *
    BUY AMERICAN ACT CERTIFICATE (FEB 2009)

    (a) The offeror certifies that each end product, except those 
listed in paragraph (b) of this provision, is a domestic end product 
and that for other than COTS items, the offeror has considered 
components of unknown origin to have been mined, produced, or 
manufactured outside the United States. The offeror shall list as 
foreign end products those end products manufactured in the United 
States that do not qualify as domestic end products, i.e., an end 
product that is not a COTS item and does not meet the component test 
in paragraph (2) of the definition of ``domestic end product.'' The 
terms ``commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item, '' 
``component,'' ``domestic end product,'' ``end product,'' ``foreign 
end product,'' and ``United States'' are defined in the clause of 
this solicitation entitled ``Buy American Act--Supplies.''
* * * * *

    (End of provision)
0
20. Amend section 52.225-3 by revising the date of the clause; in 
paragraph (a), by adding, in alphabetical order, the definition 
``Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item'' and revising the 
definition ``Domestic end product''; and by revising paragraph (c) to 
read as follows:


52.225-3  Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act.

* * * * *
    BUY AMERICAN ACT--FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS--ISRAELI TRADE ACT (FEB 
2009)

    (a) Definitions. * * *
* * * * *
    Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item-- (1) Means any 
item of supply (including construction material) that is--
    (i) A commercial item (as defined in paragraph (1) of the 
definition at FAR 2.101);
    (ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial 
marketplace; and
    (iii) Offered to the Government, under a contract or subcontract 
at any tier, without modification, in the same form in which it is 
sold in the commercial marketplace; and
    (2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in section 3 of the 
Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. App. 1702), such as agricultural 
products and petroleum products.
* * * * *
    Domestic end product means--
    (1) An unmanufactured end product mined or produced in the 
United States;
    (2) An end product manufactured in the United States, if--
    (i) The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured 
in the United States exceeds 50 percent of the cost of all its 
components. Components of foreign origin of the same class or kind 
as those that the agency determines are not mined, produced, or 
manufactured in sufficient and reasonably available commercial 
quantities of a satisfactory quality are treated as domestic. Scrap 
generated, collected, and prepared for processing in the United 
States is considered domestic; or
    (ii) The end product is a COTS item.
* * * * *
    (c) Delivery of end products. The Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 
10a - 10d) provides a preference for domestic end products for 
supplies acquired for use in the United States. In accordance with 
41 U.S.C. 431, the component test of the Buy American Act is waived 
for an end product that is a COTS item (See 12.505(a)(1)). In 
addition, the Contracting Officer has determined that FTAs (except 
the Bahrain and Morocco FTAs) and the Israeli Trade Act apply to 
this acquisition. Unless otherwise specified, these trade agreements 
apply to all items in the Schedule. The Contractor shall deliver 
under this contract only domestic end products except to the extent 
that, in its offer, it specified delivery of foreign end products in 
the provision entitled ``Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--
Israeli Trade Act Certificate.'' If the Contractor specified in its 
offer that the Contractor would supply a Free Trade Agreement 
country end product (other than a Bahrainian or Moroccan end 
product) or an Israeli end product, then the Contractor shall supply 
a Free Trade Agreement country end product (other than a Bahrainian 
or Moroccan end product), an Israeli end product or, at the 
Contractor's option, a domestic end product.
* * * * *

    (End of clause)
0
21. Amend section 52.225-4 by revising the date of the provision and 
paragraphs (a) and (c) to read as follows:


52.225-4  Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act 
Certificate.

* * * * *
    BUY AMERICAN ACT--FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS--ISRAELI TRADE ACT 
CERTIFICATE (FEB 2009)

    (a) The offeror certifies that each end product, except those 
listed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this provision, is a domestic end 
product and that for other than COTS items, the offeror has 
considered components of unknown origin to have been mined, 
produced, or manufactured outside the United States. The terms 
``Bahrainian or Moroccan end product,'' ``commercially available 
off-the-shelf (COTS) item,'' ``component,'' ``domestic end 
product,'' ``end product,'' ``foreign end product,'' ``Free Trade 
Agreement country,'' ``Free Trade Agreement country end product,'' 
``Israeli end product,'' and ``United States'' are defined in the 
clause of this solicitation entitled ``Buy American Act--Free Trade 
Agreements--Israeli Trade Act.''
* * * * *
    (c) The offeror shall list those supplies that are foreign end 
products (other than those listed in paragraph (b) of this 
provision) as defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled 
``Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act.'' The 
offeror shall list as other foreign end products those end products 
manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as domestic 
end products, i.e., an end product that is not a COTS item and does 
not meet the component test in paragraph (2) of the definition of 
``domestic end product.''
    Other Foreign End Products:
    LINE ITEM NO. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
    ---------------- ----------------
    ---------------- ----------------
    ---------------- ----------------
    [List as necessary]
* * * * *

    (End of provision)
0
22. Amend section 52.225-9 by revising the date of the clause; in 
paragraph (a), by adding, in alphabetical order, the definition 
``Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item'' and revising the 
definition ``Domestic construction material''; and by revising 
paragraph (b)(1) to read as follows:

[[Page 2724]]

52.225-9  Buy American Act--Construction Materials.

* * * * *
    BUY AMERICAN ACT--CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS (FEB 2009)

    (a) Definitions. * * *
    Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item-- (1) Means any 
item of supply (including construction material) that is--
    (i) A commercial item (as defined in paragraph (1) of the 
definition at FAR 2.101);
    (ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial 
marketplace; and
    (iii) Offered to the Government, under a contract or subcontract 
at any tier, without modification, in the same form in which it is 
sold in the commercial marketplace; and
    (2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in section 3 of the 
Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. App. 1702), such as agricultural 
products and petroleum products.
* * * * *
    Domestic construction material means--
    (1) An unmanufactured construction material mined or produced in 
the United States;
    (2) A construction material manufactured in the United States, 
if--
    (i) The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured 
in the United States exceeds 50 percent of the cost of all its 
components. Components of foreign origin of the same class or kind 
for which nonavailability determinations have been made are treated 
as domestic; or
    (ii) The construction material is a COTS item.
* * * * *
    (b) Domestic preference. (1) This clause implements the Buy 
American Act (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d) by providing a preference for 
domestic construction material. In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 431, 
the component test of the Buy American Act is waived for 
construction material that is a COTS item (See FAR 12.505(a)(2)). 
The Contractor shall use only domestic construction material in 
performing this contract, except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) 
and (b)(3) of this clause.
* * * * *

    (End of clause)
0
23. Amend section 52.225-10 by revising the date of the provision and 
paragraph (a) to read as follows:


52.225-10  Notice of Buy American Act Requirement--Construction 
Materials.

* * * * *
    NOTICE OF BUY AMERICAN ACT REQUIREMENT--CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS (FEB 
2009)

    (a) Definitions. ``Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) 
item,'' ``construction material,'' ``domestic construction 
material,'' and ``foreign construction material,'' as used in this 
provision, are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled 
``Buy American Act--Construction Materials'' (Federal Acquisition 
Regulation (FAR) clause 52.225-9).
* * * * *

    (End of provision)
0
24. Amend section 52.225-11 by--
0
a. Revising the date of the clause;
0
b. In paragraph (a), by adding, in alphabetical order, the definition 
``Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item'' and revising the 
definition ``Domestic construction material'';
0
c. Revising paragraph (b)(1); and
0
d. Revising the date of Alternate I and in paragraph (b)(1) adding a 
new second sentence to read as follows:


52.225-11  Buy American Act--Construction Materials Under Trade 
Agreements.

* * * * *
    BUY AMERICAN ACT--CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS UNDER TRADE AGREEMENTS 
(FEB 2009)

    (a) Definitions. * * *
* * * * *
    Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item-- (1) Means any 
item of supply (including construction material) that is--
    (i) A commercial item (as defined in paragraph (1) of the 
definition at FAR 2.101);
    (ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial 
marketplace; and
    (iii) Offered to the Government, under a contract or subcontract 
at any tier, without modification, in the same form in which it is 
sold in the commercial marketplace; and
    (2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in section 3 of the 
Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. App. 1702), such as agricultural 
products and petroleum products.
* * * * *
    Domestic construction material means--
    (1) An unmanufactured construction material mined or produced in 
the United States;
    (2) A construction material manufactured in the United States, 
if--
    (i) The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured 
in the United States exceeds 50 percent of the cost of all its 
components. Components of foreign origin of the same class or kind 
for which nonavailability determinations have been made are treated 
as domestic; or
    (ii) The construction material is a COTS item.
* * * * *
    (b) Construction materials. (1) This clause implements the Buy 
American Act (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d) by providing a preference for 
domestic construction material. In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 431, 
the component test of the Buy American Act is waived for 
construction material that is a COTS item (See FAR 12.505(a)(2)). In 
addition, the Contracting Officer has determined that the WTO GPA 
and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) apply to this acquisition. 
Therefore, the Buy American Act restrictions are waived for 
designated county construction materials.
* * * * *

    Alternate I (FEB 2009). * * *
* * * * *
    (b) Construction materials. (1) * * * In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 
431, the component test of the Buy American Act is waived for 
construction material that is a COTS item (See FAR 12.505(a)(2)). * * *
* * * * *
0
25. Amend section 52.225-12 by revising the date of the provision and 
revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


52.225-12  Notice of Buy American Act Requirement--Construction 
Materials Under Trade Agreements.

* * * * *
    NOTICE OF BUY AMERICAN ACT REQUIREMENT--CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS 
UNDER TRADE AGREEMENTS (FEB 2009)

    (a) Definitions. ``Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) 
item,'' ``construction material,'' ``designated country construction 
material,'' ``domestic construction material,'' and ``foreign 
construction material,'' as used in this provision, are defined in 
the clause of this solicitation entitled ``Buy American Act--
Construction Materials Under Trade Agreements'' (Federal Acquisition 
Regulation (FAR) clause 52.225-11).
* * * * *

    (End of provision)
[FR Doc. E9-551 Filed 1-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-S