Source: http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/changes/dac/DPN20150129.htm
Timestamp: 2018-10-22 10:19:09
Document Index: 444108461

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 203', 'art 225', 'art 12', 'art 159', 'art 22', 'arts 203', 'arts 203', 'art 222', 'art 222', 'art 222']

DPN20150129
[FR Doc No: 2015-01434]
RIN 0750-AI49
SUMMARY: DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update the descriptions of Federal supply groups (now identified as product service groups) subject to trade agreements to conform to the current Federal Procurement Data System Product and Service Codes Manual.
DATES: Effective January 29, 2015.
``Publication of proposed regulations'', 41 U.S.C. 1707, is the statute which applies to the publication of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Paragraph (a)(1) of the statute requires that a procurement policy, regulation, procedure or form (including an amendment or modification thereof) must be published for public comment if it relates to the expenditure of appropriated funds, and has either a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of the agency issuing the policy, regulation, procedure or form, or has a significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors. This final rule is not required to be published for public comment, because it does not change the Federal supply groups covered, but just updates the descriptions of the listed product service groups to reflect the current Product and Service Codes Manual. It does not impact which products are subject to trade agreements.
225.401-70 [Amended]
2. Amend section 225.401-70 by--
a. In the introductory text, removing ``Federal supply groups (FSG)'' and adding ``product service groups (PSGs)'' in its place;
b. In the table column heading, removing ``FSG'' and adding ``PSG'' in its place;
c. In newly redesignated entry PSG 23, removing ``(except 2350 and buses under 2310)'' and adding ``(except 2305, 2350, and buses under 2310)'' in its place;
d. In newly redesignated entry PSG 40, adding a comma after ``chain'';
e. In newly redesignated entry PSG 41, removing ``Refrigeration and air conditioning equipment'' and adding ``Refrigeration, air conditioning, and air circulating equipment'' in its place;
f. In newly redesignated entry PSG 42, removing ``Fire fighting, rescue and safety equipment'' and adding ``Fire fighting, rescue, and safety equipment; and environmental protection equipment and materials'' in its place;
g. In newly redesignated entry PSG 44, adding a comma after ``plant'';
h. In newly redesignated entry PSG 45, removing ``sanitation'' and adding ``waste disposal'' in its place;
i. In newly redesignated entry PSG 47, removing ``Piping, tubing, hose, and fitting'' and adding ``Pipe, tubing, hose, and fittings'' in its place;
j. In newly redesignated entry PSG 49, removing ``(except 4920-4927, 4931-4935, 4960)'' and adding ``(except 4920-4927, 4931-4935, 4960, 4970)'' in its place;
k. In newly redesignated entry PSG 63, removing ``Alarm and signal systems'' and adding ``Alarm, signal, and security detection systems'' in its place;
l. In newly redesignated entry PSG 70, removing ``General purpose ADPE, software, supplies, and support equipment'' and adding ``Automatic data processing equipment (including firmware), software, supplies and support equipment'' in its place;
m. In newly redesignated entry PSG 74, removing ``Office machines, visible record equipment and ADP equipment'' and adding ``Office machines, text processing systems and visible record equipment'' in its place;
n. In newly redesignated entry PSG 77, removing ``home type radios'' and adding ``home-type radios'' in its place;
o. In newly redesignated entry PSG 81, adding a comma after ``packaging'';
p. In newly redesignated entry PSG 83, removing ``flag staffs'' and adding ``flagstaffs'' in its place; and
q. In newly redesignated entry PSG 91, removing ``Fuels, oils, and waxes'' and adding ``Fuels, lubricants, oils, and waxes'' in its place.
[FR Doc No: 2015-01432]
RIN 0750-AI25
SUMMARY: DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to require that scientific and technical reports be submitted in electronic format.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Veronica Fallon, telephone 571-372-6098.
(a) Submit an electronic copy of the approved final scientific or technical report, not a summary, delivered under this contract to the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) through the web-based input system at http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/submit/ as required by DoD Instruction 3200.12, DoD Scientific and Technical Information Program (STIP). Include a completed Standard Form (SF) 298, Report Documentation Page, in the document, or complete the web-based SF 298.
(b) For instructions on submitting multi-media reports, follow the instructions at http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/submit.
(c) Email classified reports (up to Secret) to TR@DTIC.SMIL.MIL. If a SIPRNET email capability is not available, follow the classified submission instructions at http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/submit/.
[FR Doc No: 2015-01433]
48 CFR Parts 203, 204, 212, et al.
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Defense Contractors Performing Private Security Functions (DFARS Case 2014-D008) and Further Implementation of Trafficking in Persons Policy (DFARS Case 2013-D007); Final Rules
Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 19 / Thursday, January 29, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
SUMMARY: DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to address DoD-unique requirements for defense contractors performing private security functions outside the United States.
DoD published a proposed rule in the Federal Register at 79 FR 35713 on June 24, 2014, to prescribe a new clause for use in solicitations and contracts, including solicitations and contracts for the acquisition of commercial items, when defense contractors are performing private security functions outside the United States in covered operations. No public comments were submitted in response to the proposed rule. The final rule reflects two changes to clarify terminology used in the proposed rule.
This final rule adds a new section at DFARS 225.302 titled Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States. The new section provides a prescription for new DFARS clause 252.225-7039, Defense Contractors Performing Private Security Functions. The new clause requires covered contractors to--
Comply with ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012, American National Standard, Management System for Quality of Private Security Operations--Requirements with Guidance. Contracting officers were already incorporating the requirement to comply with the ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012 if the acquisition required performance of private security functions, based on a checklist provided at DFARS Procedures, Guidance, and Information 225.7401. This requirement is more appropriately included in a clause.
The new clause, DFARS 252.225-7039, is also added to the list at DFARS 212.301 of clauses and provisions for the acquisition of commercial items.
The final rule makes the following changes to clarify terminology used in the proposed rule. The final rule removes the reference to ``humanitarian or peace operations'' from the proposed rule clause prescription at DFARS 225.302-6 and the proposed clause at DFARS 252.225-7039 and replaces it with ``peace operations, consistent with Joint Publication 3-07.3.'' Humanitarian or peacekeeping operations are a subcategory of peace operations as defined in the Joint Publication 3-07.3. Consistent with this change, the definition of ``peace operation'' is also being removed from DFARS 225.302 and the associated clause at DFARS 252.225-7039.
This rule is needed to provide DoD-unique requirements for implementation and supplementation of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States. FAR 52.225-26 implements section 862 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 (Pub. L. 110-181), sections 831 and 832 of the NDAA for FY 2011 (Pub. L. 111-383), and the Memorandum of Understanding signed by DoD, the Department of State, and the United States Agency for International Development.
The objective of the rule is to ensure that DoD contractors performing private security functions in covered operations comply with the DoD-unique Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT) System registration requirements and ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012, American National Standard, Management System for Quality of Private Security Operations-Requirements with Guidance.
According to the Armed Contractor Oversight Directorate for United States Forces-Afghanistan, as of September 1, 2014, current operations include 2,355 contractors performing private security functions. It is not known how many of those firms were small businesses; however, any impact on small business firms will be minor because these are not new requirements.
The requirement to enter data on weapons, armored vehicles, helicopters, and other military vehicles into SPOT was in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) until the registration requirement was transitioned into the FAR in July 2013 (but without specifying use of SPOT). The new DFARS clause 252.225-7039, Defense Contractors Performing Private Security Functions, specifies that the system to use is SPOT. In addition, contracting officers were already incorporating the requirement to comply with ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012 if the acquisition required performance of private security functions based on a checklist provided at DFARS Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI) 225.7401.
There are no new projected reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements projected for this rule.
No alternatives to the rule have been identified.
The rule contains 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); however, these changes to the DFARS do not impose additional information collection requirements to the paperwork burden previously approved under OMB Clearance Number 0704-0460, entitled Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT) System.
2. In section 212.301, redesignate paragraphs (f)(viii)(X) through (AA) as paragraphs (f)(viii)(Y) through (BB) and add a new paragraph (f)(viii)(X) to read as follows:
(X) Use the clause at 252.225-7039, Defense Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States, as prescribed in 225.302-6, to comply with section 2 of Pub. L. 110-181, as amended.
3. Add sections 225.302 and 225.302-6 to subpart 225.3 to read as follows:
Use the clause at 252.225-7039, Defense Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States, in solicitations and contracts, including solicitations and contracts using FAR part 12 procedures for the acquisition of commercial items, when private security functions are to be performed outside the United States in--
(2) Combat operations, as designated by the Secretary of Defense; (3) Other significant military operations (as defined in 32 CFR part 159), designated by the Secretary of Defense, and only upon agreement of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State;
DEFENSE CONTRACTORS PERFORMING PRIVATE SECURITY FUNCTIONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES (JAN 2015)
(a) Requirements. The Contractor shall--
(1) Register in the Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT)--
(2) Comply with ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012, American National Standard, Management System for Quality of Private Security Company Operations--Requirements with Guidance (located at www.acq.osd.mil/log/PS/p_vault/item_1997-PSC_1_STD.PDF).
(b) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (b), in subcontracts, including subcontracts for commercial items, when private security functions will be performed outside the United States in areas of--
[FR Doc. 2015-01433 Filed 1-28-15; 8:45 am]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01431]
SUMMARY: DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to further implement DoD trafficking in persons policy, and to supplement Governmentwide changes proposed in connection with Executive Order 13627, to improve awareness, compliance, and enforcement.
The United States Government's longstanding policy prohibiting human trafficking in Federal supply chains is codified in Governmentwide acquisition regulations at FAR subpart 22.17. DoD is strengthening its policies and practices to ensure that no taxpayer resources are used to support such egregious labor violations. DoD has identified a number of important supplementary actions to help eradicate trafficking in its own supply chain. The DFARS coverage ensures that employees of DoD contractors are fully aware of their labor rights and that they have a means of reporting suspected labor violations directly to the DoD Inspector General's office. These added protections will further improve stability, productivity, and certainty in the contingency operations that DoD supports, and they will ensure that DoD contractors do not benefit from the use of coerced labor.
DoD published a proposed rule in the Federal Register at 78 FR 59325 on September 26, 2013, to further implement DoD trafficking in persons policies to improve awareness, compliance, and enforcement. Two respondents submitted public comments in response to the proposed rule.
DoD reviewed the public comments in the development of the final rule. A discussion of the comments follows:
There were no changes from the proposed rule as a result of public comments. One minor editorial change was made to the title of the new provision 252.222-7007, Representation Regarding Combating Trafficking in Persons, to use the word ``regarding'' in lieu of ``with regard to.''
Comment: Both respondents commended the drafters of the proposed rule. One respondent expressed appreciation that the drafters listened to stakeholder organizations that offered comments at the public meeting on ending trafficking in persons earlier in 2013. The other respondent stated that the proposed rule goes a significant way towards implementing the requirements of Executive Order 13627 and title XVII of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2013. The respondents did not suggest any changes to the DFARS proposed rule.
This rule amends the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS) to improve awareness, compliance, and enforcement of DoD policies on combating trafficking in persons. This rule requires the display of hotline posters on combating trafficking in persons and whistleblower protection for contracts and subcontracts, not for the acquisition of commercial items, that exceed $5 million (for performance both inside and outside the United States), display of a contractor employee bill of rights when the contract includes the DFARS clause 252.225-7040, Contractor Personnel Supporting U.S. Armed Forces Deployed Outside the United States, and a representation regarding hiring policies that is required in all DoD solicitations and contracts that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.
About 58,000 small entities do business with DoD. The mandatory disclosure requirements and the hotline poster requirements only apply to small business concerns with DoD contracts or subcontracts, not for the acquisition of commercial items, that exceed $5 million. The representation regarding hiring practices applies to all small business concerns (and all other businesses) that respond to solicitations with an estimated value exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. The requirement to display the contractor employee bill of rights only applies to contracts with contractor personnel supporting U.S. Armed Forces deployed outside the United States in contingency operations, humanitarian or peacekeeping operations, or other military operations or exercises, when designated by the combatant commander. None of these requirements is expected to impose a significant economic burden on small business concerns.
There are no information collection requirements in this rule. This rule adopts dollar thresholds wherever possible and limits certain requirements to contracts where contractor personnel support U.S. Armed Forces deployed outside the United States. There were no additional alternatives identified that could further decrease the impact on small entities.
Therefore, 48 CFR parts 203, 204, 212, 222, and 252 are amended as follows:
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 203, 204, 212, and 252 continues to read as follows:
(b)(2)(ii) Unless the contract is for the acquisition of a commercial item, use the clause at 252.203-7004, Display of Hotline Posters, in lieu of the clause at FAR 52.203-14, Display of Hotline Poster(s), in solicitations and contracts, if the contract value exceeds $5 million. If the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides disaster relief funds for the contract, DHS will provide information on how to obtain and display the DHS fraud hotline poster (see FAR 3.1003).
3. In section 204.1202, redesignate paragraphs (2)(iv) through (xiii) as paragraphs (2)(v) through (xiv), respectively, and add a new paragraph (2)(iv) as follows:
4. In section 212.301, redesignate paragraphs (f)(vii) through (f)(xvii) as paragraphs (f)(viii) through (xviii), respectively, and add a new paragraph (f)(vii) to read as follows:
(vii) Part 222--Application of Labor Laws to Government Acquisitions. Use the provision at 252.222-7007, Representation Regarding Combating Trafficking in Persons, as prescribed in 222.1771.
5. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 222 is revised to read as follows:
6. Add sections 222.1770 and 222.1771 to subpart 222.17 to read as follows:
7. Section 252.203-7004 is revised to read as follows:
DISPLAY OF HOTLINE POSTERS (JAN 2015)
(b) Display of fraud hotline poster(s). (1) The Contractor shall display prominently the DoD fraud hotline poster, prepared by the DoD Office of the Inspector General, in common work areas within business segments performing work in the United States under Department of Defense (DoD) contracts.
(2) If the contract is funded, in whole or in part, by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) disaster relief funds, the DHS fraud hotline poster shall be displayed in addition to the DoD fraud hotline poster. If a display of a DHS fraud hotline poster is required, the Contractor may obtain such poster from:
[Contracting Officer shall insert the appropriate DHS contact information or Web site.]
(c) Display of combating trafficking in persons and whistleblower protection hotline posters. The Contractor shall display prominently the DoD Combating Trafficking in Persons and Whistleblower Protection hotline posters, prepared by the DoD Office of the Inspector General, in common work areas within business segments performing work under DoD contracts.
(d)(1) These DoD hotline posters may be obtained from: Defense Hotline, The Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1900, or are also available via the internet at http://www.dodig.mil/hotline/hotline_posters.htm.
(3) Additionally, if the Contractor maintains a company Web site as a method of providing information to employees, the Contractor shall display an electronic version of these required posters at the Web site.
8. Section 252.204-7007 is amended by--
a. Removing the provision date ``(DEC 2014)'' and adding ``(JAN 2015)'' in its place; and
b. Redesignating paragraphs (d)(1)(iii) through (vii) as paragraphs (d)(1)(iv) through (viii), respectively, and adding a new paragraph (d)(1)(iii).
9. Add new section 252.222-7007 to read as follows:
10. Section 252.225-7040 is amended by--
a. Removing the clause date ``(MAY 2014)'' and adding ``(JAN 2015)'' in its place; and
(8)(i) The Contractor shall ensure that Contractor employees supporting the U.S. Armed Forces are aware of their rights to--
[FR Doc. 2015-01431 Filed 1-28-15; 8:45 am]