Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/08/08/2013-19021/defense-federal-acquisition-regulation-supplement-clauses-with-alternates-quality-assurance-dfars
Timestamp: 2017-08-19 08:09:33
Document Index: 400637385

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 246', 'art 246', 'art 252', 'art 246', 'arts 246', 'arts 246', 'art 46']

48407-48410 (4 pages)
WARRANTY OF DATA—BASIC (DATE)
WARRANTY OF DATA—ALTERNATE I (DATE)
WARRANTY OF DATA—ALTERNATE II (DATE)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2013-19021 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2013-19021
Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2013-D004, using any of the following methods:
○ Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by entering “DFARS Case 2013-D004” under the heading “Enter keyword or ID” and selecting “Search.” Select the link “Submit a Comment” that corresponds with “DFARS Case 2013-D004.” Follow the instructions provided at the “Submit a Comment” screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and “DFARS Case 2013-D004” on your attached document.
○ Email: dfars@osd.mil. Include DFARS Case 2013-D004 in the subject line of the message.
DoD is proposing to revise the DFARS to create an overarching prescription for the quality assurance clause with two alternates. The rule also proposes to add a separate prescription for the basic clause as well as each alternate. For clarity, the preface of each alternate will continue to explain what portions of that alternate are different from the basic clause.
Separate prescriptions for the basic and alternates of DFARS clauses will facilitate the use of automated contract writing systems. The proposed rule will not revise the prescriptions in any substantive way or change the applicability of the clauses or their alternates.
Although this rule proposes to include each alternate in full, it retains the language that precedes the clause or alternate, which includes the location of the alternate's prescription and a statement that identifies which paragraphs were changed from the basic clause. Further, alternates are proposed to have individual titles that tie them to the basic clause, e.g., “Warranty of Data—Alternate I” in lieu of “Alternate I.”
This proposed rule addresses only the single DFARS part 246 clause that has alternates. The remaining prescriptions Start Printed Page 48408in part 246 are not proposed to be changed in any way by this rule. The affected clause is 252.246-7001, Warranty of Data, with two alternates. The naming convention results in proposed new clause titles, e.g., Warranty of Data—Basic and Warranty of Data—Alternate I.
An umbrella prescription is proposed to be added for the elements common to the basic clause and both alternates. The specific prescription for the basic clause and each alternate would then address only the requirements for their use that enable the selection of the basic or one of the alternates. For example, the revised prescription for Warranty of Data—Alternate I would read as follows: “Use the clause at 252.246-7001, Warranty of Data—Alternate I, in fixed-price incentive solicitations and contracts.” The planned changes will increase the clarity and ease of use, but will not revise the applicability in any way. The text of the current DFARS 252.246-7001, Alternate I, would no longer consist solely of paragraph (d)(3), but would include the entire text of DFARS 252.246-7001 (basic clause) with the revised paragraph (d)(3) substituted for the corresponding paragraph of the basic clause. Inapplicable paragraphs from the basic version of the clause that are superseded by the alternate will not be included in the solicitation or contract in order to prevent confusion.
Further, this proposed rule would also revise the applicable preface, i.e., the language in part 252 that precedes a provision, clause, or alternate. The proposed rule would replace the current preface language with a statement that identifies the specific changes from the basic version of the solicitations provision or clause.
The purpose of this proposed rule is to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to create unique prescriptions for the basic version and each alternate of DFARS part 246 solicitations provisions and clauses, and to include the full text of each clause alternate.
The use of automated contract writing systems will be facilitated by having unique prescriptions for the basic version and each alternate of DFARS solicitations provisions and clauses. The current convention requires the prescription for the basic provision or clause to address all the possibilities covered by the alternates, and then the prescription for each alternate addresses only what is different for the use of that particular alternate. This rule will revise the prescriptions, so that the basic solicitation provision or clause and each alternate is unique and stands on its own. The prescriptions will not be revised in any way to change when they are applicable to offerors, contractors, or subcontractors.
Potential offerors, including small businesses, may be affected by this rule by seeing an unfamiliar format for clause alternates in solicitations and contracts issued by DoD contracting activities. An average of 12,618,521 new contracts was awarded in Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012, and an average of 1,557,852 of these actions (12.35%) was awarded to small businesses. It is unknown how many of these contracts were awarded that included an alternate to a DFARS provision or clause. Nothing substantive will change in solicitations or contracts for potential offerors, and only the appearance of how clause alternates are presented in the solicitations and contracts will be changed. This rule may result in potential offerors, including small businesses, expending more time to become familiar with and to understand the new format of the clause alternates in full text contained in contracts issued by any DoD contracting activity. The rule also anticipates saving contractors time by making all paragraph substitutions from the basic version of the clause, and not requiring the contractors to read inapplicable paragraphs contained in the basic version of the clause where alternates are also included in the solicitations and contracts. The overall burden caused by this rule is expected to be negligible and will not be any greater on small businesses than it is on large businesses.
DoD will also consider comments from small entities concerning the existing regulations in subparts affected by this rule in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 610 (DFARS Case 2013-D004), in correspondence.
Therefore, 48 CFR parts 246 and 252 are proposed to be amended as follows:
1. The authority citation for parts 246 and 252 continue to read as follows:
Start Printed Page 48409 Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1303 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.
(a) Use a clause substantially the same as the basic or one of the alternates of the clause at 252.246-7001, Warranty of Data, in solicitations and contracts that include the clause at 252.227-7013, Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software, when there is a need for greater protection or period of liability than provided by the inspection and warranty clauses prescribed in FAR part 46.
(1) Use the clause at 252.246-7001, Warranty of Data—Basic, in solicitations and contracts that are not firm-fixed price or fixed-price incentive.
(2) Use the clause at 252.246-7001, Warranty of Data—Alternate I, in fixed-price-incentive solicitations and contracts.
(3) Use the clause at 252.246-7001, Warranty of Data—Alternate II, in firm-fixed-price solicitations and contracts.
(b) Use the clause at 252.246-7002, Warranty of Construction (Germany), instead of the clause at FAR 52.246-21, Warranty of Construction, in solicitations and contracts for construction when a fixed-price contract will be awarded and contract performance will be in Germany.
(c)(1) In addition to 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, which is prescribed in 211.274-6(a), use the following provision and clause in solicitations and contracts when it is anticipated that the resulting contract will include a warranty for serialized items:
(i) 252.246-7005, Notice of Warranty Tracking of Serialized Items (include only if offerors will be required to enter data with the offer); and
(2) If the Government specifies a warranty, include in the solicitation the appropriate warranty attachment from DFARS 246.710-70. The contracting officer shall request the requiring activity to provide information to ensure that Attachment __, Warranty Tracking Information, is populated with data specifying the Government's required warranty provision by contract line item number, subline item number, or exhibit line item number prior to solicitation. In such case do not include 252.246-7005 in the solicitation.
(3) If the Government does not specify a warranty, include 252.246-7005 in the solicitation, and the warranty attachment from DFARS 246.710-70. The contractor may offer a warranty and shall then populate Attachment __, Warranty Tracking Information, as appropriate, as part of its offer as required by 252.246-7005.
(4) All warranty tracking information that is indicated with a single asterisk (*) in Attachment __, Warranty Tracking Information, shall be completed prior to award. Data indicated with two asterisks (**) may be completed at the time of award. Data indicated with three asterisks (***) may be completed at or after the time of award.
(5) The contractor shall provide warranty repair source instructions (as prescribed in the attachment) no later than the time of delivery.
(a) Warranty of Data—Basic. For the specific prescription for use of the basic clause, see 246.710(1)(i).
(b) Warranty of Data—Alternate I. For the specific prescription for use of Alternate I, see 246.710 (1)(ii). Alternate I uses a different paragraph (d)(3) than the basic clause.
(ii) If the Contracting Officer determines that the Government no longer has a Start Printed Page 48410requirement for correction or replacement of the data, or that the data can be more reasonably corrected by the Government, inform the Contractor by written notice that the Government elects a price or fee adjustment instead of correction or replacement.
(4) The provisions of this clause apply anew to that portion of any corrected or replaced technical data furnished to the Government under paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this clause.
(c) Warranty of Data—Alternate II. For the specific prescription for use of Alternate II, see 246.710 (1)(iii). Alternate II uses a different paragraph (d)(3) than the basic clause.
4. Amend introductory text of section 252.246-7002 by removing “As prescribed in 246.710(4)” and adding “As prescribed in 246.710(2)” in its place.
5. Amend introductory text of section 252.246-7005 by removing “As prescribed in
6. Amend introductory text of section 252.246-7006 by removing “As prescribed in