Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Defense

###### Defense Acquisition Regulations System 

          - 48 CFR Part 216 
          - RIN 0750-AG14 

# AGENCY:

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

# ACTION:

Final rule. 

# SUMMARY:

DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to address Federal Acquisition Regulation provisions that permit the award of a single source task or delivery order contract exceeding $100 million, if the head of the agency determines it is necessary in the public interest. The DFARS rule specifies that the authority to make such a determination may not be delegated below the level of the senior procurement executive. 

# DATES:

*Effective Date:*                         January 15, 2009.                     

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Michael Benavides, Defense Acquisition Regulations System, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (DARS), IMD 3D139, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telephone 703-602-1302; facsimile 703-602-7887. Please cite DFARS Case 2008-D017. 

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## A. Background 

An interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) was published at 73 FR 54008 on September 17, 2008, to implement Section 843 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Pub. L. 110-181). Section 843 prohibits the award of a task or delivery order contract in an amount exceeding $100 million to a single source unless the head of the agency determines that: the task or delivery orders expected under the contract are so integrally related that only a single source can reasonably perform the work; the contract provides only for firm-fixed-price task or delivery orders; only one source is qualified and capable of performing the work at a reasonable price to the Government; or it is necessary in the public interest to award the contract to a single source due to exceptional circumstances. With regard to the delegation of authority provision at FAR 1.108(b), this DFARS rule specifies that the head of the agency may not delegate the authority to make a single source public interest determination below the level of the senior procurement executive. The rule also requires that a copy of any determination authorizing the award of a single source task or delivery order contract be submitted to the Deputy Director, Defense Procurement (Contract Policy and International Contracting). 

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

## B. Regulatory Flexibility Act 

This rule will not have a significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors, or a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of DoD. Therefore, publication for public comment under 41 U.S.C. 418b is not required. However, DoD will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected DFARS subpart in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should cite DFARS Case 2008-D017. 

## C. Paperwork Reduction Act 

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

# List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 216

      - Government procurement

Michele P. Peterson, 

Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

Therefore, 48 CFR part 216 is amended as follows: 

# PART 216—TYPES OF CONTRACTS 

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 216 continues to read as follows: 

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

2. Section 216.504 is added to read as follows: 

216.504 

                            (c)(1)(ii)(D)                             *Limitation on single award contracts.*      ( print page 2417)    

*(1)*                             The authority to make the determination authorized in FAR 16.504(c)(1)(ii)(D)                            *(1)(iv)*                             shall not be delegated below the level of the senior procurement executive.                         

*(3)*                             A copy of any determination made in accordance with FAR 16.504(c)(1)(ii)(D) shall be submitted to: Deputy Director, Defense Procurement (Contract Policy and International Contracting), OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (CPIC), 3060 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3060.                         

[FR Doc. E9-673 Filed 1-14-09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 5001-08-P