Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/03/19/E9-5861/federal-acquisition-regulation-far-case-2008-017-federal-food-donation-act-of-2008
Timestamp: 2017-08-19 22:51:53
Document Index: 299290083

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 26', 'art 26', 'art 26', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 52']

Federal Register :: Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2008-017, Federal Food Donation Act of 2008
11829-11832 (4 pages)
9000-AL15
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E9-5861 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E9-5861
The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement the Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-247) which encourages executive agencies and their contractors, in contracts for the provision, service, or sale of food, to the maximum extent practicable and safe, to donate apparently wholesome excess food to nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to food-insecure people in the United States.
Submit comments identified by FAC 2005-31, FAR case 2008-017, by any of the following methods:
Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov.Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inputting “FAR Case 2008-017” under the heading “Comment or Submission”. Select the link “Send a Comment or Submission” that corresponds with FAR Case 2008-017. Follow the instructions provided to complete the “Public Comment and Submission Form”. Please include your name, company name (if any), and “FAR Case 2008-017” on your attached document.
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 FAR case 2008-017.
1. Part 26—Other Socioeconomic Programs: Adds a new Subpart 26.4, Food Donations to Nonprofit Organizations.
a. The Councils anticipate that the majority of solicitation and contract actions that may be applicable to this Act are fixed-price commercial services; therefore, Subpart 26.4 is the most appropriate place to implement this Act. This subpart applies to all contracts greater than $25,000 for the provision, service, or sale of food in the United States. Executive agencies and contractors are encouraged to donate excess, apparently wholesome food to nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to food-insecure people in the United States. Instead of using “above $25,000” as stated in the Act, the rule uses “greater than $25,000” which is used throughout the FAR.Start Printed Page 11830
b. The definition section, FAR 26.401, adds four definitions from the Act. These definitions are “apparently wholesome food,” “excess food,” “food-insecure” and “nonprofit organization”. The definition for “apparently wholesome food” was expanded to incorporate the language from section (b)(2) of the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.
2. Subpart 31.2, Contracts with Commercial Organizations: New language is added to Subpart 31.2 — Contracts with Commercial Organizations, section 31.205, Selected Costs, and section FAR 31.205-1, Public relations and advertising costs. FAR 31.205-1(e) lists allowable public relations costs in paragraph (3) which includes the costs of participating in community service activities. Since it is possible to have a cost type contract that may include food supplies and/or services and the Act specifically states that the head of the executive agency shall not assume responsibility for the costs and logistics of collecting, transporting, maintaining the safety of, or distributing excess, apparently wholesome food to food-insecure people in the United States under this Act, section 31.205-1(f), for unallowable public relations and advertising costs adds paragraph (8) to state any costs associated with the donation of excess food to nonprofit organizations are unallowable.
3. Part 52—Solicitation Provisions and Contract clauses: Two clauses are revised and one new clause is added.
a. FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items, is revised. This clause incorporates by reference only those clauses required to implement provisions of law or executive orders applicable to the acquisition of commercial items. Paragraph (c) allows the contracting officer to indicate which, if any, of the additional clauses are applicable to the specific acquisition. Paragraph (c)(7) adds the clause 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations, if applicable, and the remaining clause is renumbered. Also, in order to incorporate the subcontractor “Flowdown” provision of the clause, paragraph (e) requires the Contractor to flow down specific FAR clauses in a subcontract for commercial items. Paragraph (e)(1)(xii) is revised to add the 52.226-6 clause and the remaining clause is renumbered.
b. FAR 52.213-4, Terms and Conditions—Simplified Acquisitions (Other Than Commercial Items), is revised. The contracting officer may use the clause in simplified acquisitions exceeding the micro-purchase threshold that is for other than commercial items. Paragraph (b)(2) of the clause lists additional clauses that may apply. Paragraph (b)(2)(iii) adds the clause 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations, if applicable, and the remaining clause is renumbered.
Additional terms and conditions for 52.226-6: There are two additional terms and conditions included in the clause that go beyond the Act. In paragraph (d), Liability, the last sentence is added to state that nothing in this clause shall be construed to supersede State or local health regulations. This language was taken from the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act. It makes it clear to the contractor that they must comply with these regulations, too. In paragraph (e), “Flowdown” is added to encourage the subcontractors to participate in the Federal excess food donation program for actions greater than $25,000.
A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary of Defense (DoD), the Administrator of General Services (GSA), and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that urgent and compelling reasons exist to promulgate this interim rule without prior opportunity for public comment. This action is necessary because the provision of the Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 was enacted on June 20, 2008. The Act requires that the FAR be revised to implement this Act no later Start Printed Page 11831than 180 days after the date of enactment. The Councils believe that the interim rule in the FAR will provide the Contracting Officer the relevant regulatory guidance needed when addressing requirements outlined in this rule. This interim rule is applicable to all solicitations and contracts greater than $25,000 for the provision, service, or sale of food in the United States issued on or after the effective date of the rule. However, pursuant to Pub. L. 98-577 and FAR 1.501, the Councils will consider public comments received in response to this interim rule in the formation of the final rule.
31.205-1
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