Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2015/07/02/2015-16210.html
Timestamp: 2020-08-11 07:52:03
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Federal Acquisition Regulation; Clarification on Justification for Urgent Noncompetitive Awards Exceeding One Year, 38308-38309 [2015-16210] :: General Services Administration :: Agencies And Commissions :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Agencies And Commissions General Services Administration Federal Acquisition Regulation; Clarification on Justification for Urgent Noncompetitive Awards Exceeding One Year, 38308-38309 [2015-16210]
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Clarification on Justification for Urgent Noncompetitive Awards Exceeding One Year, 38308-38309 [2015-16210]
Download as PDF 38308 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 127 / Thursday, July 2, 2015 / Rules and Regulations III. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not subject to review under Section 6(b) of E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804. IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply to this rule because this final rule does not constitute a significant FAR revision within the meaning of FAR 1.501–1 and 41 U.S.C. 1707 does not require publication for public comment. V. Paperwork Reduction Act The rule does not contain any information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 5 and 22 Government procurement. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES [FR Doc. 2015–16209 Filed 7–1–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–EP–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 48 CFR Part 6 Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ACTION: Final rule. DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to clarify that a determination of exceptional circumstances is needed when a noncompetitive contract awarded on the basis of unusual and compelling urgency exceeds 1 year, either at time of award or due to postaward modifications. DATES: Effective: August 3, 2015. SUMMARY: [Amended] 2. Amend section 5.207 by— a. Removing from paragraph (a)(5) ‘‘Classification Code’’ and adding ‘‘Product or Service Code’’ in its place; and ■ b. Removing from paragraph (c)(13) ‘‘supply’’ and adding ‘‘product’’ in its place. Jkt 235001 * * * * (c) * * * (1) * * * (ii) Scientific equipment and medical apparatus or equipment if the application of micro-electronic circuitry or other technology of at least similar sophistication is an essential element (for example, Product or Service Code (PSC) 6515, ‘‘Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies;’’ PSC 6525, ‘‘Imaging Equipment and Supplies: Medical, Dental, Veterinary;’’ PSC 6630, ‘‘Chemical Analysis Instruments;’’ and PSC 6655, ‘‘Geophysical Instruments,’’ are largely composed of the types of equipment exempted in this paragraph). * * * * * AGENCY: PART 5—PUBLICIZING CONTRACT ACTIONS 22:10 Jul 01, 2015 * Federal Acquisition Regulation; Clarification on Justification for Urgent Noncompetitive Awards Exceeding One Year Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 51 U.S.C. 20113. VerDate Sep<11>2014 22.1003–4 Administrative limitations, variations, tolerances, and exemptions. RIN 9000–AM86 Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 5 and 22 as set forth below: ■ 1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 5 and 22 continues to read as follows: ■ ■ 3. Amend section 22.1003–4 by revising paragraph (c)(1)(ii) to read as follows: ■ [FAC 2005–83; FAR Case 2014–020; Item IV; Docket No. 2014–0020; Sequence No. 1] Dated: June 18, 2015. William Clark, Director, Office of Government-wide Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition Policy, Office of Government-wide Policy. 5.207 PART 22—APPLICATION OF LABOR LAWS TO GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Mr. Michael O. Jackson, Procurement Analyst, at 202–208–4949 for clarification of content. For information pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the Regulatory Secretariat at 202–501–4755. Please cite FAC 2005–83, FAR Case 2014–020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background DoD, GSA, and NASA published a proposed rule in the Federal Register at 79 FR 78378 on December 30, 2014. The rule was in response to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, GAO–14–304, Federal Contracting: Noncompetitive Contracts Based on Urgency Need Additional Oversight, dated March 2014. The proposed rule language at FAR 6.302–2(d) has been revised to further clarify it. One respondent submitted a comment on the proposed rule. II. Discussion and Analysis The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (the Councils) reviewed the public comment in the development of the final rule. The comment resulted in no changes to the final rule. A discussion of the comment is provided in the following paragraph. Comment: The respondent stated that there should be no justification for extending any contract that is noncompetitive for more than one year. Response: The extension of noncompetitive contracts is allowable. The purpose of this case is to ensure that when the extension has been deemed to be warranted, that the proper justification and documentation are prepared and included in the contract file. III. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not subject to review under Section 6(b) of E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning and E:\FR\FM\02JYR3.SGM 02JYR3 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 127 / Thursday, July 2, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804. IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act DoD, GSA, and NASA have prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) consistent with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. The FRFA is summarized as follows: The purpose of this rule is to clarify that a determination of exceptional circumstances is needed when the period of performance, inclusive of options and modifications, of a noncompetitive contract awarded on the basis of unusual and compelling urgency is greater than one year. This rule only impacts the internal procedures of the Federal Government. There are no recordkeeping, reporting, or other compliance requirements associated with the rule. The rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any other Federal rules. No issues were raised by the public comments in response to the initial regulatory flexibility analysis. Interested parties may obtain a copy of the FRFA from the Regulatory Secretariat. The Regulatory Secretariat has submitted a copy of the FRFA to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. V. Paperwork Reduction Act The rule does not contain any information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). List of Subject in CFR Part 6 Government procurement. * * * * (d) * * * (1) * * * (ii) May not exceed one year, including all options, unless the head of the agency determines that exceptional circumstances apply. This determination must be documented in the contract file. (2)(i) Any subsequent modification using this authority, which will extend the period of performance beyond one year under this same authority, requires a separate determination. This determination is only required if the cumulative period of performance using this authority exceeds one year. This requirement does not apply to the exercise of options previously addressed in the determination required at (d)(1)(ii) of this section. (ii) The determination shall be approved at the same level as the level to which the agency head authority in (d)(1)(ii) of this section is delegated. (3) The requirements in paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section shall apply to any contract in an amount greater than the simplified acquisition threshold. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2015–16210 Filed 7–1–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–EP–P statutory prohibition on the use of appropriated (or otherwise made available) funds for contracts with any foreign incorporated entity that is an inverted domestic corporation or any subsidiary of such entity. DATES: Effective: July 2, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael O. Jackson, Procurement Analyst, at 202–208–4949 for clarification of content. For information pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the Regulatory Secretariat at 202–501–4755. Please cite FAC 2005–83, FAR Case 2014–017. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background DoD, GSA, and NASA published an interim rule in the Federal Register at 79 FR 74554 on December 15, 2014, to address the continuing Governmentwide statutory prohibition (in effect through annual appropriations acts since Fiscal Year 2008) on the use of appropriated (or otherwise made available) funds for contracts with any foreign incorporated entity that is an inverted domestic corporation (under section 835 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, codified at 6 U.S.C. 395) or to any subsidiary of such entity. One respondent submitted comments in response to the interim rule. II. Discussion and Analysis The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (the Councils) reviewed the public comments in the development of the final rule. A. Summary of Significant Changes NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 51 U.S.C. 20113. Jkt 235001 B. Analysis of Comments [FAC 2005–83; FAR Case 2014–017; Item V; Docket No. 2014–0017, Sequence No. 1] A discussion of the comments follows: 1. Deletion of References to the Specific Fiscal Years Comment: The respondent does not favor the deletion of references to the specific fiscal years covered in several subsections of FAR 9.108. The respondent states that the interim rule obscures the fact that the restrictions on contracting with inverted domestic corporations are fiscal year specific, and that those restrictions may or may not be enacted in future years. The respondent states that the interim rule now provides only a general description of the common exception language. The respondent recommends— Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: 2. Amend section 6.302–2 by— a. Removing from paragraph (d)(1) ‘‘contract awarded’’ and adding ‘‘contract awarded or modified’’ in its place; ■ b. Revising paragraph (d)(1)(ii); ■ c. Redesignating paragraphs (d)(2) through (d)(4) as paragraphs (d)(3) through (d)(5), respectively; ■ d. Adding a new paragraph (d)(2); and ■ ■ 48 CFR Parts 9 and 52 Federal Acquisition Regulation; Prohibition on Contracting With Inverted Domestic Corporations 1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 6 continues to read as follows: ■ There were no changes made to the rule as a result of the comments received. There were no comments on the Regulatory Flexibility Act. RIN 9000–AM70 PART 6—COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES Unusual and compelling urgency. * GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR part 6 as set forth below: 21:24 Jul 01, 2015 6.302–2 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Dated: June 18, 2015. William Clark, Director, Office of Government-wide Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition Policy, Office of Government-wide Policy. VerDate Sep<11>2014 e. Revising the newly designated paragraph (d)(3). The revisions and addition read as follows: ■ 38309 DoD, GSA, and NASA have adopted as final, without change, an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to address the continuing Governmentwide SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\02JYR3.SGM 02JYR3
[Pages 38308-38309]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16210]
48 CFR Part 6
[FAC 2005-83; FAR Case 2014-020; Item IV; Docket No. 2014-0020;
RIN 9000-AM86
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Clarification on Justification
for Urgent Noncompetitive Awards Exceeding One Year
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to clarify that a determination of
exceptional circumstances is needed when a noncompetitive contract
awarded on the basis of unusual and compelling urgency exceeds 1 year,
either at time of award or due to post-award modifications.
DATES: Effective: August 3, 2015.
Analyst, at 202-208-4949 for clarification of content. For information
Secretariat at 202-501-4755. Please cite FAC 2005-83, FAR Case 2014-
Register at 79 FR 78378 on December 30, 2014. The rule was in response
to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, GAO-14-304, Federal
Contracting: Noncompetitive Contracts Based on Urgency Need Additional
Oversight, dated March 2014. The proposed rule language at FAR 6.302-
2(d) has been revised to further clarify it. One respondent submitted a
comment on the proposed rule.
Regulations Council (the Councils) reviewed the public comment in the
development of the final rule. The comment resulted in no changes to
the final rule. A discussion of the comment is provided in the
Comment: The respondent stated that there should be no
justification for extending any contract that is noncompetitive for
Response: The extension of non-competitive contracts is allowable.
The purpose of this case is to ensure that when the extension has been
deemed to be warranted, that the proper justification and documentation
are prepared and included in the contract file.
[[Page 38309]]
The purpose of this rule is to clarify that a determination of
exceptional circumstances is needed when the period of performance,
inclusive of options and modifications, of a noncompetitive contract
awarded on the basis of unusual and compelling urgency is greater
than one year. This rule only impacts the internal procedures of the
There are no recordkeeping, reporting, or other compliance
requirements associated with the rule. The rule does not duplicate,
overlap, or conflict with any other Federal rules.
No issues were raised by the public comments in response to the
initial regulatory flexibility analysis.
Regulatory Secretariat. The Regulatory Secretariat has submitted a copy
of the FRFA to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
List of Subject in CFR Part 6
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR part 6 as set forth
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 6 continues to read as
2. Amend section 6.302-2 by--
a. Removing from paragraph (d)(1) ``contract awarded'' and adding
``contract awarded or modified'' in its place;
b. Revising paragraph (d)(1)(ii);
c. Redesignating paragraphs (d)(2) through (d)(4) as paragraphs (d)(3)
through (d)(5), respectively;
d. Adding a new paragraph (d)(2); and
e. Revising the newly designated paragraph (d)(3).
6.302-2   Unusual and compelling urgency.
(ii) May not exceed one year, including all options, unless the
head of the agency determines that exceptional circumstances apply.
This determination must be documented in the contract file.
(2)(i) Any subsequent modification using this authority, which will
extend the period of performance beyond one year under this same
authority, requires a separate determination. This determination is
only required if the cumulative period of performance using this
authority exceeds one year. This requirement does not apply to the
exercise of options previously addressed in the determination required
at (d)(1)(ii) of this section.
(ii) The determination shall be approved at the same level as the
level to which the agency head authority in (d)(1)(ii) of this section
is delegated.
(3) The requirements in paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this
section shall apply to any contract in an amount greater than the
[FR Doc. 2015-16210 Filed 7-1-15; 8:45 am]