Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/03/31/E9-7020/federal-acquisition-regulation-far-case-2009-012-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-of-2009-the
Timestamp: 2016-10-01 22:25:02
Document Index: 70908402

Matched Legal Cases: ['art2', 'art3', 'art4', 'art5', 'art\n52', 'art6', 'art7', 'art8', 'art9']

:: Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2009-012, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act)-Whistleblower Protections
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E9-7020
Section 4101 of Public Law 103-355, the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) (41 U.S.C. 429), governs the applicability of laws to contracts or subcontracts in amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold. It is intended to limit the applicability of laws to them. The FASA provides that if a provision of law contains criminal or civil penalties, or if the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council) makes a written determination that it is not in the best interest of the Federal Government to exempt contracts or subcontracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold, the law will apply to them.
Therefore, given section 1553 of the Recovery Act, which extends whistleblower protections to employees of contractors that receive contracts funded under the Recovery Act, and the initial implementing guidance for the Recovery Act issued on February 18, Start Printed Page 146342009 by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget committing to an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability for taxpayer dollars, the FAR Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the Federal Government to apply this rule to acquisitions at or below the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined at FAR 2.101.
Section 8003 of Public Law 103-355, the FASA (41 U.S.C. 430), governs the applicability of laws to commercial items, and is intended to limit the applicability of laws to commercial items. The FASA provides that if a provision of law contains criminal or civil penalties, or if the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council makes a written determination that it is not in the best interest of the Federal Government to exempt commercial item contracts, the provision of law will apply to contracts for commercial items. The same applies for subcontracts for commercial items.
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 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 became effective on enactment, and contracts using funds appropriated by the Recovery Act will soon be ready to award. However, pursuant to Public Law 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.
Start Amendment Part2. Revise section 3.900 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part3. Remove and reserve section 3.902.End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part4. Add sections 3.907 through 3.907-7 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Whistleblower Protections Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act).
Covered information means information that the employee reasonably believes is evidence of gross mismanagement of the contract or subcontract related to covered funds, gross waste of covered funds, a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety related to the implementation or use of covered funds, an abuse of authority related to the implementation or use of covered funds, or a violation of law, rule, or regulation Start Printed Page 14635related to an agency contract (including the competition for or negotiation of a contract) awarded or issued relating to covered funds.
(A) Issues an order denying relief in whole or in part under paragraph (a) of this section;Start Printed Page 14636
Start Amendment Part5. Add section 52.203-15 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
52.203-15 Whistleblower Protections Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(End of clause) Start Amendment Part6. Amend section 52.212-4 by revising the date of the clause and paragraph (r) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
(r) Compliance with laws unique to Government contracts. The Contractor agrees to comply with 31 U.S.C. 1352 relating to limitations on the use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracts; 18 U.S.C. 431 relating to officials not to benefit; 40 U.S.C. 3701, et seq., Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act; 41 U.S.C. 51-58, Anti-Kickback Act of 1986; 41 U.S.C. 265 and 10 U.S.C. 2409 relating to whistleblower protections; Section 1553 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 relating to whistleblower protections for contracts funded under that Act; 49 U.S.C. 40118, Fly American; and 41 U.S.C. 423 relating to procurement integrity. * * * * *
(End of clause) Start Amendment Part7. Amend section 52.212-5 by—End Amendment Part
(End of clause) Start Amendment Part8. Amend section 52.213-4 by revising the date of the clause and paragraph (a)(2)(vi) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part9. Amend section 52.244-6 by revising the date of the clause; redesignating paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) thru (c)(1)(viii) as paragraphs (c)(1)(iii) thru (c)(1)(ix), respectively, and adding a new paragraph (c)(1)(ii).End Amendment Part