Source: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/128087713/December-11-1998
Timestamp: 2015-08-02 13:07:33
Document Index: 92874817

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 4', 'art 32', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 32', 'art 210', 'art 32']

December 11, 1998 by HC12083118432
128087713
HC12083118432
AGAR ADVISORY
AGAR ADVISORY NO. 59
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR)
Advisory is to disseminate initial implementation information on the requirements for
contractors to register in the CCR Database.
SUMMARY: Federal Acquisition Circular 2001-16, dated October 1, 2003, revised the
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to require contractor registration in the CCR database
prior to award of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchase
agreement on or after October 1, 2003. Contracting officers are required to modify existing
contracts whose period of performance extends beyond December 31, 2003, to require
contractors to register in the CCR database by December 31, 2003.
   CCR is a Government-wide initiative to house data on contractors selling to the
Government in a single database.
   The purposes of CCR are to increase the visibility of vendor sources and to establish a
common source of vendor data for the Government. The centralization of data is not
related to security or restrictions on privacy. It is intended to make electronic contracting
faster, easier, cheaper, and less error prone for all.
   The information in CCR is entered and maintained by each contractor, and is stored for all
Federal agencies to use. Contractors are responsible for the accuracy and currency of
   Pursuant to FAR 4.11 – Central Contractor Registration, effective October 1, 2003,
prospective contractors shall be registered in the CCR database prior to award of a
contract, basic agreement (BA), basic ordering agreement (BOA) or blanket purchase
AGAR Advisory No. 59, Page 1 of 5
agreement (BPA), except for:
o    Purchases that use a Governmentwide commercial purchase card as both the
purchasing and payment mechanism, as opposed to using the purchase card only as a
o    Classified contracts (see FAR 2.101) when registration in the CCR database, or use
of CCR data, could compromise the safeguarding of classified information or
o    Contracts awarded by –
     Deployed contracting officers in the course of military operations, including,
but not limited to, contingency operations as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13)
or humanitarian or peacekeeping operations as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2302(7);
     Contracting officers in the conduct of emergency operations, such as responses
to natural or environmental disasters or national or civil emergencies, e.g.
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5121);
o    Contracts to support unusual or compelling needs (see FAR 6.302-2);
o    Awards made to foreign vendors for work performed outside the United States, if it
is impractical to obtain CCR registration; and
o    Micro-purchases that do not use the electronic funds transfer (EFT) method for
payment and are not required to be reported (see FAR subpart 4.6).
   Prior to awarding a contract, BA, BOA or BPA, the contracting officer shall verify that the
prospective contractor is registered in the CCR database. The DUNS number should be
used to verify registration. This can be done on-line at the CCR Internet website
(http://www.ccr.gov) at the link titled “Search CCR.”
Existing Contracts, BAs, BOAs, BPAs
   Contracting officers must modify contracts, BAs, BOAs, and BPAs whose period of
performance extends beyond December 31, 2003, and which do not already include the
requirement to register in the CCR database. Once registered, the vendor must maintain
the registration until final payment. The contractors must be registered by December 31,
2003; therefore, modifications must be completed in sufficient time to permit registration
   A sample modification which can be used for this purpose is attached. This modification
template incorporates the new clause 52.204-7 and revised clause 52.232-33.
   Contracting officers may want to consider inserting December 31, 2003 in the blank in
AGAR Advisory No. 59, Page 2 of 5
clause 52.204-7 as the date by which the contractor must be registered in CCR to provide
the maximum time to affected contractors.
   Also attached is a sample transmittal letter which explains the modification and highlights
the need for the contractor to return the modification with the applicable DUNS number
indicated in Block 8 of the modification. Additional information concerning CCR, such
as that provided by OPPM Memorandum of July 18, 2003 or the CCR Handbook may be
added to the letter.
   For contracts for commercial items, a modification must be issued similar to the sample
cited above, to add an addendum to 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions –
Commercial Items. That change requires that the contractor be registered in the CCR
database by December 31, 2003, and maintain registration until final payment.
   For solicitations issued prior to FAC 2001-16, without the appropriate CCR provisions
and clauses, contracting officers should amend the solicitations.
VENDOR NOTIFICATION ISSUES AND EXCEPTIONS
   In September 2003 USDA wrote letters to its contractors advising them of the pending
CCR registration requirement. The National Finance Center working with the Office of
Procurement and Property Management and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer
started a mass mail out of these letters. Several of the mission areas have also written
similar letters. The USDA and mission area registration efforts have reached both the
intended contractors and unintended parties. The USDA mass mail out, which was based
on the FFIS VEND file, was cancelled because of the numbers of unintended parties who
were receiving these letters.
   Businesses, organizations and individuals selling goods and services to the Federal
Government under FAR-based purchase orders, contracts, BAs, BPAs and BOAs should
register as soon as practical.
   If a contractor is uncertain as to whether registration in CCR is required and chooses not
do so at this time, there will be later opportunities to register. For example, if, in verifying
contractor registration in CCR, the contracting officer finds that the proposed awardee is
not registered, the proposed awardee is to be notified of the registration requirement and
provided time to register in CCR.
   The requirement to register in CCR applies to acquisitions executed pursuant to the FAR.
It therefore, does not, at this time apply in the following circumstances.
o    Grants, cooperative agreements and real property leases;
o    Timber Sale contracts;
o    USDA Farm Assistance Programs such as: Conservation Reserve Program, Wetland
Reserve Program, Forestry Incentives Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program,
AGAR Advisory No. 59, Page 3 of 5
and similar programs.
o    USDA provided inspection and testing services (such as provided at airports,
seaports, food facilities, to veterinary practices, etc.), special use permits and similar
services for which USDA is paid by an individual, business or organization.
o    Type 60 orders which are not executed pursuant to the FAR.
   A copy of the CCR Handbook and vendor registration template is available at the CCR
website (http://www.ccr.gov) under the tab marked “CCR Handbook.” This template and
the handbook are useful in understanding what information is required to be provided by
contractors, and in addressing questions that may be received from contractors.
   While registration via the World Wide Web is the preferred method, contractors without
such Internet access or who would prefer not to register in on-line, can register by
submitting the registration template to the Department of Defense, Central Contractor
Registration, 74 Washington Ave., N., Suite 7, Battle Creek, MI 49017-3084.
Contractors may obtain the paper copy registration template and CCR Handbook from the
CCR Customer Assistance described below.
   The CCR Customer Assistance Center can be contacted toll free at telephone number 1-
888-227-2423 or by email to ccr@dlis.dla.mil.
   Based on questions received by OPPM to date, contractors have required the most
assistance with determining NAICS and SIC codes. The NAICS website at
http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/naicod02.htm has a search feature which is useful,
and additionally cross-references the appropriate SIC code.
   Contractors are required to enter financial information into CCR. The purpose of the
financial information is to facilitate payments. This financial information is only
accessible by authorized Government representatives and the contractors themselves.
Upon registration each contractor receives a Trading Partner Identification Number
(TPIN) which is his/her secure password, which along with the DUNS number, enables
the contractor to access his/her data. Please emphasize to contractors that this is their
secure password to access their information, including financial information, in the CCR
database, and is required when updating their information in the CCR database. This
TPIN number should not be released outside the contractor’s organization.
   The contractor information needed for CCR registration includes information which is
contractor confidential, and proper security must be maintained for that information. The
contractor is responsible for entering and maintaining the correct information in the CCR
database. If contractors request assistance with CCR registration because they do not have
access to a computer to register on-line at the CCR website, contractors should be advised
to submit a written registration application to the CCR office (see information in
“Reference Material, above) for actual input of the information into the CCR database.
AGAR Advisory No. 59, Page 4 of 5
While contracting officers and other Federal employees should not do the on-line
registration for the contractors, they may assist contractors by downloading the registration
template, CCR handbook and other information from the CCR website and providing
paper copies of that material to the contractors that do not have Internet access.
   OPPM will continue to work with the OCFO regarding the FAR clause 52.232-33
(Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003))
concerning payments. At this time the interface between CCR and FFIS is not available.
As the interface issues are addressed by OCFO, OPPM will provide information
If you have questions regarding this advisory, please contact Todd Repass, Chief, PPD via
email at Todd.Repass@da.usda.gov or by phone at (202) 690-1060; or send an email to
procurement.policy@da.usda.gov.
EXPIRATION DATE: Effective until canceled.
AGAR Advisory No. 59, Page 5 of 5
Sample Forwarding Letter for Contractors
Dear                                  :
Subject: Contract/PO # _________________, Modification _________
Enclosed is a modification incorporating the requirements for registration in the Central Contractor
Registration (CCR) database. This modification is being issued unilaterally as an administrative
change. Your signature is not required. This registration requirement described in this modification
became effective October 1, 2003. Contracts extending beyond December 31, 2003, are being
modified to incorporate this requirement. Please return a copy of the modification to this office with
your DUNS number entered in block 8.
The CCR database is the primary Government repository for contractor information required to conduct
business with the Federal Government. It is designed to be highly secure, with contractors able to
register identifying company information; including electronic funds transfer (EFT) data. The
contractor controls the accuracy of its own business information and registers one time in CCR. That
information is then used by all Federal agencies.
If your firm is already registered in CCR, please provide your DUNS number in block 8 of the attached
modification, and return to the contracting office (address in block 6). The DUNS number will be used
to verify your registration in CCR.
If your firm is not currently registered, please register in CCR and then enter your DUNS number in
block 8 of the attached modification and return to the contracting office (address in block 6). There are
basically 2 steps to registration:
1.       Obtain a DUNS number by calling Dun and Bradstreet at 1-866-705-7511 (additional
information is contained in FAR clause 52.204-7, attached to the enclosed modification).
2.       Register in CCR. The preferred method for registration is via the World Wide Web at
http://www.ccr.gov. The CCR Handbook and a registration template are available at that
site, under the tab titled “CCR Handbook.” Registration assistance, including a paper copy
of the registration forms, may be obtained from the CCR Customer Assistance Center at
toll free 1-888-227-2423, commercial 269-961-5757 or by email to ccr@dlis.dla.mil.
Once you have registered in CCR a Trading Partner Identification Number (TPIN) is
mailed to the individual identified by you as the CCR point of contact. The TPIN is the
secure password for access to your firm’s confidential information in the CCR database.
You will use the TPIN to access and change the registration data in your profile. It is your
responsibility to enter and maintain your information in the CCR database.
Attachments to AGAR Advisory No. 59, Page 1 of 5
1. CONTRACT ID CODE                             PAGE     OF     PAGES
2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.                                        3. EFFECTIVE DATE                  4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.                                  5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)
6. ISSUED BY                                                CODE                                        7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)                                     CODE
8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No. Street, county, State and ZIP: Code)                                                                           ()     9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.
DUNS Number: ___________________________
CODE                                                                     FACILITY CODE
The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers                             is extended,            is not extended.
Offerors must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:
(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning one (1) copy of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or
telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE
RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATA SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already
submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour
and data specified.
()       A.     THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.
B.    THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET
X              FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).
C.     THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:
D.     OTHER: Specify type of modification and authority)
E. IMPORTANT: Contractor                                  is not,                 is required to sign this document and return 2 originals to the issuing office with
The contract/order is modified to incorporate Central Contractor Registration (CCR) requirements as follows:
Add: FAR Clause 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration, Alternate I (OCT 2003) - Attached
Delete: FAR Clause 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – Other Than Central Contractor Registration (MAY
Add: FAR Clause 52.232-33, Payment by electronic Funds Transfer – Central Contractor Registration (OCT 2003) - Attached
In accordance with FAR 52.204-7(b)(2), the contractor shall enter in Block 8, above, its DUNS or DUNS +4 number. This will
be used by the Contracting Officer to verify that the Contractor is registered in the CCR database.
Except at provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)                                                            16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)
15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR                                              15C. DATE SIGNED                    16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA                                           16C. DATE SIGNED
________________________________________________                                                         By:   ________________________                                             (Signature of Contracting Officer)
NSN 7540-01-152-8070                                                                            30-105                                                                     STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)
PREVIOUS EDITION UNUSABLE                                                                 COMPUTER GENERATED                                                               Prescribed by GSA
Attachments to AGAR Advisory No. 59, Page 2 of 5
52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration – Alternate I (Oct 2003)
“Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database” means the primary Government repository for
Contractor information required for the conduct of business with the Government.
“Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number” means the 9-digit number assigned by Dun
and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&amp;B) to identify unique business entities.
“Data Universal Numbering System +4 (DUNS+4) number” means the DUNS number assigned by
D&amp;B plus a 4-character suffix that may be assigned by a business concern. (D&amp;B has no affiliation with
this 4-character suffix.) This 4-character suffix may be assigned at the discretion of the business concern to
establish additional CCR records for identifying alternative Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) accounts (see
the FAR at Subpart 32.11) for the same parent concern.
(1) The Contractor has entered all mandatory information, including the DUNS number or the
DUNS+4 number, into the CCR database; and
(2) The Government has validated all mandatory data fields and has marked the record “Active”.
(b)(1) The Contractor shall be registered in the CCR database by ______________ [Contracting
Officer shall insert a date no later than December 31, 2003]. The Contractor shall maintain registration
during performance and through final payment of this contract.
(2) The Contractor shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of the SF
30, Amendment of solicitation/Modification of Contract, the annotation “DUNS” or “DUNS +4” followed
by the DUNS or DUNS +4 number that identifies the Contractor’s name and address exactly as stated in
this contract. The DUNS number will be used by the Contracting Officer to verify that the Contractor is
the CCR database.
(c) If the offeror does not have a DUNS number, it should contact Dun and Bradstreet directly to
(i) If located within the United States, by calling Dun and Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711 or via
the Internet at http://www.dnb.com; or
(ii) If located outside the United States, by contacting
the local Dun and Bradstreet office.
(d) If the Offeror does not become registered in the CCR database in the time prescribed by the
Contracting Officer, the Contracting Officer will proceed to award to the next otherwise successful
registered Offeror.
(e) Processing time, which normally takes 48 hours, should be taken into consideration when
registering. Offerors who are not registered should consider applying for registration immediately upon
receipt of this solicitation.
(f) The Contractor is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the data within the CCR
database, and for any liability resulting from the Government’s reliance on inaccurate or incomplete data.
Attachments to AGAR Advisory No. 59, Page 3 of 5
To remain registered in the CCR database after the initial registration, the Contractor is required to review
and update on an annual basis from the date of initial registration or subsequent updates its information in
the CCR database to ensure it is current, accurate and complete. Updating information in the CCR does
not alter the terms and conditions of this contract and is not a substitute for a properly executed contractual
(g) (1) (i) If a Contractor has legally changed its business name, “doing business as” name, or division
name (whichever is shown on the contract), or has transferred the assets used in performing the contract,
but has not completed the necessary requirements regarding novation and change-of-name agreements in
Subpart 42.12, the Contractor shall provide the responsible Contracting Officer a minimum of one
business day’s written notification of its intention to (A) change the name in the CCR database; (B)
comply with the requirements of Subpart 42.12 of the FAR; and (C) agree in writing to the timeline and
procedures specified by the responsible Contracting Officer. The Contractor must provide with the
notification sufficient documentation to support the legally changed name.
(ii) If the Contractor fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this clause,
or fails to perform the agreement at paragraph (g)(1)(i)(C) of this clause, and, in the absence of a properly
executed novation or change-of-name agreement, the CCR information that shows the Contractor to be
other than the Contractor indicated in the contract will be considered to be incorrect information within the
meaning of the “Suspension of Payment” paragraph of the electronic funds transfer (EFT) clause of this
(2) The Contractor shall not change the name or address for EFT payments or manual payments, as
appropriate, in the CCR record to reflect an assignee for the purpose of assignment of claims (see FAR
Subpart 32.8, Assignment of Claims). Assignees shall be separately registered in the CCR database.
Information provided to the Contractor’s CCR record that indicates payments, including those made by
EFT, to an ultimate recipient other than that Contractor will be considered to be incorrect information
within the meaning of the “Suspension of payment” paragraph of the EFT clause of this contract.
(h) Offerors and Contractors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation
requirements via the internet at http://www.ccr.gov or by calling 1-888-227-2423, or 269-961-5757.
52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003)
(a) Method of payment. (1) All payments by the Government under this contract shall be made by
electronic funds transfer (EFT), except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this clause. As used in this
clause, the term “EFT” refers to the funds transfer and may also include the payment information transfer.
(2) In the event the Government is unable to release one or more payments by EFT, the Contractor
agrees to either—
(ii) Request the Government to extend the payment due date until such time as the
Government can make payment by EFT (but see paragraph (d) of this clause).
(b) Contractor&#39;s EFT information. The Government shall make payment to the Contractor using the
EFT information contained in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. In the event that the
EFT information changes, the Contractor shall be responsible for providing the updated information to the
CCR database.
(c) Mechanisms for EFT payment. The Government may make payment by EFT through either the
Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, subject to the rules of the National Automated Clearing
House Association, or the Fedwire Transfer System. The rules governing Federal payments through the
ACH are contained in 31 CFR part 210.
(d) Suspension of payment. If the Contractor’s EFT information in the CCR database is incorrect, then
the Government need not make payment to the Contractor under this contract until correct EFT
Attachments to AGAR Advisory No. 59, Page 4 of 5
information is entered into the CCR database; and any invoice or contract financing request shall be
deemed not to be a proper invoice for the purpose of prompt payment under this contract. The prompt
payment terms of the contract regarding notice of an improper invoice and delays in accrual of interest
(e) Liability for uncompleted or erroneous transfers. (1) If an uncompleted or erroneous transfer
occurs because the Government used the Contractor’s EFT information incorrectly, the Government
remains responsible for—
(2) If an uncompleted or erroneous transfer occurs because the Contractor’s EFT information was
incorrect, or was revised within 30 days of Government release of the EFT payment transaction instruction
to the Federal Reserve System, and—
(i) If the funds are no longer under the control of the payment office, the Government is
deemed to have made payment and the Contractor is responsible for recovery of any erroneously directed
(ii) If the funds remain under the control of the payment office, the Government shall not
make payment, and the provisions of paragraph (d) of this clause shall apply.
(f) EFT and prompt payment. A payment shall be deemed to have been made in a timely manner in
accordance with the prompt payment terms of this contract if, in the EFT payment transaction instruction
released to the Federal Reserve System, the date specified for settlement of the payment is on or before the
prompt payment due date, provided the specified payment date is a valid date under the rules of the Federal
(g) EFT and assignment of claims. If the Contractor assigns the proceeds of this contract as provided
for in the assignment of claims terms of this contract, the Contractor shall require as a condition of any
such assignment, that the assignee shall register separately in the CCR database and shall be paid by EFT
in accordance with the terms of this clause. Notwithstanding any other requirement of this contract,
payment to an ultimate recipient other than the Contractor, or a financial institution properly recognized
under an assignment of claims pursuant to Subpart 32.8, is not permitted. In all respects, the requirements
of this clause shall apply to the assignee as if it were the Contractor. EFT information that shows the
ultimate recipient of the transfer to be other than the Contractor, in the absence of a proper assignment of
claims acceptable to the Government, is incorrect EFT information within the meaning of paragraph (d) of
(h) Liability for change of EFT information by financial agent. The Government is not liable for errors
resulting from changes to EFT information made by the Contractor’s financial agent.
(i) Payment information. The payment or disbursing office shall forward to the Contractor available
payment information that is suitable for transmission as of the date of release of the EFT instruction to the
Federal Reserve System. The Government may request the Contractor to designate a desired format and
method(s) for delivery of payment information from a list of formats and methods the payment office is
capable of executing. However, the Government does not guarantee that any particular format or
method of delivery is available at any particular payment office and retains the latitude to use the format
and delivery method most convenient to the Government. If the Government makes payment by check in
accordance with paragraph (a) of this clause, the Government shall mail the payment information to the
remittance address contained in the CCR database.
Attachments to AGAR Advisory No. 59, Page 5 of 5
"December 11, 1998"
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_December 29_ 1998