Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2019/05/31/2019-11309.html
Timestamp: 2019-11-21 20:58:14
Document Index: 149909055

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 58', 'art 58', 'art 58', 'art 58', 'art 58', 'arts 212', 'ART 58', 'arts 212', 'art 232', 'arts 212', 'arts 212', 'art 212', 'ART 212', 'ART 232', 'art 12', 'art 232', 'ART 252', 'art 244', 'art 12', 'arts 212', 'art 232', 'arts 212']

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Prompt Payments of Small Business Contractors (DFARS Case 2018-D068), 25225-25228 [2019-11309] :: Defense Acquisition Regulations System :: Department Of Defense :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Defense Defense Acquisition Regulations System Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Prompt Payments of Small Business Contractors (DFARS Case 2018-D068), 25225-25228 [2019-11309]
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Prompt Payments of Small Business Contractors (DFARS Case 2018-D068), 25225-25228 [2019-11309]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 105 / Friday, May 31, 2019 / Proposed Rules G. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments This action does not have tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175. This action only applies to state and local monitoring agencies operating NCore monitoring sites in Core Based Statistical Areas of 1,000,000 people or more. No tribal governments will be subject to the PAMS monitoring requirements. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this action. H. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect children, per the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory action’’ in section 2–202 of the Executive Order. This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it does not concern an environmental health risk or safety risk. I. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use § 58.13 Monitoring network completion. * * * * * (h) The Photochemical Assessment Monitoring sites required under 40 CFR part 58 Appendix D, section 5(a) must be physically established and operating under all of the requirements of this part, including the requirements of appendix A, C, D, and E of this part, no later than June 1, 2021. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2019–11406 Filed 5–30–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P Defense Acquisition Regulations System Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Prompt Payments of Small Business Contractors (DFARS Case 2018–D068) Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Proposed rule. DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 that provides for accelerated payments to small business contractors and subcontractors. DATES: Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before July 30, 2019, to be considered in the formation of a final rule. ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2018–D068, using any of the following methods: Æ Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. Search for ‘‘DFARS Case 2018–D068.’’ Select ‘‘Comment Now’’ and follow the instructions provided to submit a comment. Please include ‘‘DFARS Case SUMMARY: The EPA believes that this action is not subject to Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) because it does not establish an environmental health or safety standard. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 58 Ambient air monitoring, Ozone, Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations, Precursor monitoring. Dated: May 23, 2019. Andrew R. Wheeler, Administrator. For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Environmental Protection Agency proposes to amend part 58 of title 40, chapter I, of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows: 2018–D068’’ on any attached documents. Æ Email: osd.dfars@mail.mil. Include DFARS Case 2018–D068 in the subject line of the message. Æ Fax: 571–372–6094. Æ Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Jennifer D. Johnson, OUSD(A–S)DPC/DARS, Room 3B941, 3060 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301–3060. Comments received generally will be posted without change to http:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. To confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check www.regulations.gov, approximately two to three days after submission to verify posting (except allow 30 days for posting of comments submitted by mail). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jennifer D. Johnson, telephone 571– 372–6100. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AGENCY: K. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS 2. Section 58.13 is amended by revising paragraph (h) to read as follows: ■ RIN 0750–AK25 This rulemaking does not involve technical standards. Jkt 247001 Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7403, 7405, 7410, 7414, 7601, 7611, 7614, and 7619. [Docket DARS–2019–0025] J. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) 16:12 May 30, 2019 1. The authority citation for part 58 continues to read as follows: ■ 48 CFR Parts 212, 232, and 252 This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. VerDate Sep<11>2014 PART 58—AMBIENT AIR QUALITY SURVEILLANCE 25225 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 This rule proposes to revise the DFARS to implement section 852 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 (Pub. L. 115–232). Section 852 provides for accelerated payments to small business contractors and to small business subcontractors by accelerating payments to their prime contractors. Specifically, section 852 requires DoD, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to establish an accelerated payment date for small business contractors, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of a proper invoice, if a specific payment date is not established by contract. For contractors that subcontract with small businesses, section 852 requires DoD, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to establish an accelerated payment date, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of a proper invoice, if: (1) A specific payment date is not established by contract, and (2) the contractor agrees to make accelerated payments to the subcontractor without any further consideration from, or fees charged to, the subcontractor. The requirements of section 852 are similar to current DoD policy and practice regarding payments to small business contractors and subcontractors. DFARS 232.903 states DoD’s policy of assisting small businesses by paying them as quickly as possible after receipt of invoices and proper documentation, and before normal payment due dates established in the contract. In practice, the Defense Financial Accounting Service (DFAS) currently provides accelerated payments to nearly all DoD contractors, as permitted by law. E:\FR\FM\31MYP1.SGM 31MYP1 25226 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 105 / Friday, May 31, 2019 / Proposed Rules II. Discussion and Analysis This rule proposes to amend DFARS parts 212, 232, and 252 to implement section 852 of the NDAA for FY 2019. In part 232, this rule proposes to add section 232.009, Providing accelerated payments to small business subcontractors, to address compliance with section 852. The clause at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.232– 40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors, already includes most of the requirements of section 852. Therefore, DoD will continue to use the FAR clause, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication. However, this rule proposes to add a new contract clause at DFARS 252.232– 7XXX, Accelerating Payments to Small Business Subcontractors—Prohibition on Fees and Consideration. In accordance with section 852, this new clause prohibits contractors from requiring any further consideration from, or charging fees to, their small business subcontractors when making accelerated payments under FAR 52.232–40. The rule proposes to add this new clause to the list at section 212.301, Solicitation provisions and contract clauses for the acquisition of commercial items. khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS III. Expected Impact of the Proposed Rule Current DoD policy, as stated in DFARS 232.903, is to pay small business contractors as quickly as possible after receipt of invoices and proper documentation. This rule proposes to specify that DoD will provide payment as quickly as possible, to the fullest extent permitted by law, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of proper invoices and documentation, and before normal payment due dates. For items that ordinarily require payment in less than 15 days (e.g., perishable food), DoD will provide payment as quickly as possible after receipt of proper invoices and documentation, and before the normal payment due date. With few exceptions, DoD will provide accelerated payments to small business contractors and to other contractors that agree to provide accelerated payments to their small business subcontractors without further consideration or fees. DoD will not be able to provide accelerated payments if such payments put DoD at risk of a violation of law. DoD estimates that 40,282 contractors (including 30,498 small businesses) will receive accelerated payments each year, based on data obtained from the Federal Procurement Data System and input from subject matter experts. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:12 May 30, 2019 Jkt 247001 Specifically, DoD awarded contracts to an average of 40,689 unique entities (including 30,806 small businesses) each year from FY 2016 through FY 2018. Subject matter experts estimated that DoD would not provide accelerated payments to approximately 1 percent (407, including 308 small businesses) of these contractors because such payments would put DoD at risk of a violation of law. Therefore, approximately 40,282 contractors (including 30,498 small businesses) per year would receive accelerated payments. The clause at FAR 52.232–40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors, currently requires contractors to provide accelerated payments to their small business subcontractors when the Government provides accelerated payments to the contractors. DoD contracting officers are required to include this clause in DoD contracts. As a result, DoD contractors should already be providing accelerated payments to small business subcontractors. In accordance with section 852 of the NDAA for FY 2019, this rule proposes to prohibit contractors from requiring any further consideration from, or charging fees to, their small business subcontractors when making accelerated payments. This prohibition will be communicated to contractors in a new contract clause at DFARS 252.232– 7XXX, Accelerating Payments to Small Business Subcontractors—Prohibition on Fees and Consideration. This prohibition would benefit small business subcontractors who have been required to provide consideration or pay fees to the prime contractor in order to receive accelerated payments. Any costs for prime contractors to implement the prohibition on fees and consideration are expected to be de minimis since DoD expects that only a small number of contractors have required such consideration or fees from their small business subcontractors. It is not possible for DoD to estimate the number of small business subcontractors who have been required to provide consideration or pay fees for accelerated payments from prime contractors, nor is it possible to estimate the dollar value of the consideration provided or fees paid. The lack of available data makes it difficult to predict the impact of the proposed rule. Depending on the extent to which small business subcontractors have been required to provide consideration or pay fees to receive accelerated payments, the proposed prohibition could result in cost savings. DoD invites public comment regarding the number of small PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 businesses required to provide such consideration or fees to prime contractors, the basis for such estimates, and the cost impact of the consideration or fees. IV. Applicability to Contracts at or Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and for Commercial Items, Including Commercially Available Offthe-Shelf Items DoD intends to apply the requirements of section 852 of the NDAA for FY 2019 to contracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) and to contracts for the acquisition of commercial items, including commercially available offthe-shelf (COTS) items. A. Applicability to Contracts at or Below the SAT 41 U.S.C. 1905 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 such contracts or subcontracts. 41 U.S.C. 1905 provides that if a provision of law contains criminal or civil penalties, or if the 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 SAT, the law will apply to them. The Principal Director, Defense Pricing and Contracting (DPC), is the appropriate authority to make comparable determinations for regulations to be published in the DFARS, which is part of the FAR system of regulations. Given that the requirements of section 852 of the NDAA for FY 2019 were enacted to provide accelerated payments to small business contractors and subcontractors, and since approximately 96 percent of DoD contracts are valued at or below the SAT, DoD intends to determine that it is in the best interest of the Federal Government to apply the rule to contracts at or below the SAT. An exception for contracts at or below the SAT would exclude contracts intended to be covered by the law, thereby undermining the overarching public policy purpose of the law. B. Applicability to Contracts for the Acquisition of Commercial Items, Including COTS Items 10 U.S.C. 2375 governs the applicability of laws to DoD contracts and subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items, including COTS items, and is intended to limit the applicability of laws to contracts and subcontracts for the acquisition of E:\FR\FM\31MYP1.SGM 31MYP1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 105 / Friday, May 31, 2019 / Proposed Rules commercial items, including COTS items. 10 U.S.C. 2375 provides that if a provision of law contains criminal or civil penalties, or if the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)) 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 the acquisition of commercial items. Due to delegations of authority from USD(A&S), the Principal Director, DPC, is the appropriate authority to make this determination. Given that the requirements of section 852 of the NDAA for FY 2019 were enacted to provide accelerated payments to small business contractors and subcontractors, and since more than half of DoD’s contractors are small businesses providing commercial items, including COTS items, DoD intends to determine that it is in the best interest of the Federal Government to apply the rule to contracts for the acquisition of commercial items, including COTS items, as defined at FAR 2.101. An exception for contracts for the acquisition of commercial items, including COTS items, would exclude the contracts intended to be covered by the law, thereby undermining the overarching public policy purpose of the law. khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS V. 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. VI. Executive Order 13771 This rule is not expected to be subject to the requirements of E.O. 13771, because this rule is not a significant regulatory action under E.O. 12866. VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act DoD expects that this proposed rule may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:12 May 30, 2019 Jkt 247001 Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. Therefore, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis has been performed and is summarized as follows: DoD is proposing to amend the DFARS to implement section 852 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 (Pub. L. 115–232). Section 852 requires DoD, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to establish an accelerated payment date for small business contractors, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of a proper invoice, if a specific payment date is not established by contract. For contractors that subcontract with small businesses, section 852 requires DoD, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to establish an accelerated payment date, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of a proper invoice, if—(1) a specific payment date is not established by contract and (2) the contractor agrees to make accelerated payments to the subcontractor without any further consideration from, or fees charged to, the subcontractor. The objective of the rule is to provide accelerated payments to small business contractors and subcontractors. The legal basis is section 852 of the NDAA for FY 2019. According to data obtained from the Federal Procurement Data System, DoD awarded contracts to an average of 30,806 unique small entities each year from FY 2016 through FY 2018. DoD estimates that it may not be possible to provide accelerated payments to approximately 308 small contractors (1%) because such payments would put DoD at risk of a violation of law. Therefore, approximately 30,498 small contractors per year would receive accelerated payments. This rule does not impose any new reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements for small entities. This rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any other Federal rules. There are no known alternatives that would accomplish the stated objectives of the applicable statute. DoD invites comments from small business concerns and other interested parties on the expected impact of this rule on small entities. 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 2018–D068), in correspondence. VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act The rule does not contain any information collection requirements that PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 25227 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 212, 232, and 252 Government procurement. Jennifer Lee Hawes, Regulatory Control Officer, Defense Acquisition Regulations System. Therefore, 48 CFR parts 212, 232, and 252 are proposed to be amended as follows: 1. The authority citations for 48 CFR part 212, 232, and 252 continue to read as follows: ■ Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1303 ad 48 CFR chapter 1. PART 212—ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS 2. Amend section 212.301 by adding paragraph (f)(xiii)(G) to read as follows: ■ 212.301 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses for the acquisition of commercial items. * * * * * (f) * * * (xiii) * * * (G) Use the clause at 252.232–7XXX, Accelerating Payments to Small Business Subcontractors—Prohibition on Fees and Consideration, as prescribed in 232.009–2(2). * * * * * PART 232—CONTRACT FINANCING 3. Add sections 232.009, 232.009–1, and 232.009–2 to read as follows: ■ 232.009 Providing accelerated payments to small business subcontractors. 232.009–1 General. Section 852 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115–232) requires DoD to provide accelerated payments to small business contractors and subcontractors, to the fullest extent permitted by law, with a goal of 15 days. 232.009–2 Contract clause. Use the clause at 252.232–7XXX, Accelerating Payments to Small Business Subcontractors—Prohibition on Fees and Consideration, in solicitations and contracts, including those using FAR part 12 procedures for the acquisition of commercial items, that include the clause at FAR 52.232– 40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors. E:\FR\FM\31MYP1.SGM 31MYP1 25228 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 105 / Friday, May 31, 2019 / Proposed Rules Proposed rule. Subpart 232.9—Prompt Payment ACTION: 4. Revise section 232.903 to read as follows: SUMMARY: ■ 232.903 Responsibilities. In accordance with section 852 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115–232), DoD shall assist small business concerns by providing payment as quickly as possible, to the fullest extent permitted by law, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of proper invoices and all required documentation, including acceptance, and before normal payment due dates established in the contract (see 232.906(a)). PART 252—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES 5. Add section 252.232–7XXX to read as follows: ■ 252.232–7XXX Accelerating Payments to Small Business Subcontractors— Prohibition on Fees and Consideration. As prescribed in 232.009–2, use the following clause: ACCELERATING PAYMENTS TO SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS— PROHIBITION ON FEES AND CONSIDERATION (DATE) (a) In accordance with section 852 of Public Law 115–232, the contractor shall not require any further consideration from or charge fees to the small business subcontractor when making accelerated payments to subcontractors under the clause at FAR 52.232–40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors. (b) Include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (b), in all subcontracts with small business concerns, including those for the acquisition of commercial items. (End of clause) [FR Doc. 2019–11309 Filed 5–30–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to establish a DoD contractor purchasing system review dollar threshold that provides a regulatory basis for allowing DoD personnel to support other essential priorities and missions of greater contractual risk, while reducing regulatory impact on contractors. DATES: Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before July 30, 2019, to be considered in the formation of a final rule. ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2017–D038, using any of the following methods: Æ Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. Search for ‘‘DFARS Case 2017–D038.’’ Select ‘‘Comment Now’’ and follow the instructions to submit a comment. Please include your name, company name (if any), and ‘‘DFARS Case 2017– D038’’ on any attached document. Æ Email: osd.dfars@mail.mil. Include DFARS Case 2017–D038 in the subject line of the message. Æ Fax: 571–372–6094. Æ Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Kimberly Bass, OUSD(A&S)DPAP/DARS, Room 3B941, 3060 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301–3060. Instructions: Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. To confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check www.regulations.gov, approximately two to three days after submission to verify posting (except allow 30 days for posting of comments submitted by mail). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Bass, telephone 571–372– 6174. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE I. Background Defense Acquisition Regulations System 48 CFR Part 244 khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS [Docket DARS–2019–0024] RIN 0750–AJ48 Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Contractor Purchasing System Review Threshold (DFARS Case 2017–D038) Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD). AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:12 May 30, 2019 Jkt 247001 This proposed rule implements a recommendation from the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) to raise the contractor purchasing system review (CPSR) threshold at Federal Acquisition Regulation 44.302(a) from $25 million to $50 million. Currently, FAR 44.302(a) requires the administrative contracting officer (ACO) to determine whether a contractor’s sales to the Government are expected to exceed $25 million during the next 12 months and, if so, perform a review to determine if a CPSR is needed. The ACO uses this dollar PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 threshold in conjunction with the surveillance criteria cited at FAR 44.302(a), i.e., contractor past performance, and the volume, complexity, and dollar value of subcontracts. DCMA performs the preponderance of DoD CPSRs. Competitively awarded firm-fixed-price and competitively awarded fixed-price with economic price adjustment contracts and sales of commercial items pursuant to Part 12 are excluded from this requirement. FAR 44.302(a) specifically authorizes the head of the agency responsible for contract administration to raise or lower the $25 million CPSR threshold if it is considered to be in the Government’s best interest. The dollar threshold of $25 million cited at FAR 44.302(a) has been unchanged since 1996. In 2016, the DCMA CPSR Group conducted an analysis to determine if raising the CPSR threshold would be beneficial. Based on the Group’s findings, it was determined that adjusting the threshold upward to $50 million would appropriately account for inflation, reduce burden on small contractors, and allow a more efficient and effective use of CSPR resources to review larger contractors where more taxpayer dollars are at risk. II. Discussion and Analysis This rule proposes to amend DFARS 244.302, Requirements, to establish within the DFARS a DoD CPSR dollar threshold of $50 million. With this threshold in place, it is estimated that DCMA ACOs can reduce the number of contractor reviews by approximately 20 percent, while reducing by only 2% the value of contract dollars covered by CSPRs. Thus, the Government will be adequately protected by the $50 million threshold. III. Applicability to Contracts at or Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and for Commercial Items, Including Commercially Available Offthe-Shelf Items This rule does not add any new provisions or clauses or impact any existing provisions or clauses. The rule merely increases the DoD dollar threshold for conducting CPSRs to $50 million. IV. 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 E:\FR\FM\31MYP1.SGM 31MYP1
[Pages 25225-25228]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11309]
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 that provides for
accelerated payments to small business contractors and subcontractors.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2018-D068, using
Search for ``DFARS Case 2018-D068.'' Select ``Comment Now'' and follow
Case 2018-D068'' on any attached documents.
[cir] Email: [email protected]. Include DFARS Case 2018-D068 in
This rule proposes to revise the DFARS to implement section 852 of
(Pub. L. 115-232). Section 852 provides for accelerated payments to
small business contractors and to small business subcontractors by
accelerating payments to their prime contractors. Specifically, section
852 requires DoD, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to establish
an accelerated payment date for small business contractors, with a goal
of 15 days after receipt of a proper invoice, if a specific payment
date is not established by contract. For contractors that subcontract
with small businesses, section 852 requires DoD, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, to establish an accelerated payment date, with a goal
of 15 days after receipt of a proper invoice, if: (1) A specific
payment date is not established by contract, and (2) the contractor
agrees to make accelerated payments to the subcontractor without any
further consideration from, or fees charged to, the subcontractor.
The requirements of section 852 are similar to current DoD policy
and practice regarding payments to small business contractors and
subcontractors. DFARS 232.903 states DoD's policy of assisting small
businesses by paying them as quickly as possible after receipt of
invoices and proper documentation, and before normal payment due dates
established in the contract. In practice, the Defense Financial
Accounting Service (DFAS) currently provides accelerated payments to
nearly all DoD contractors, as permitted by law.
This rule proposes to amend DFARS parts 212, 232, and 252 to
implement section 852 of the NDAA for FY 2019. In part 232, this rule
proposes to add section 232.009, Providing accelerated payments to
small business subcontractors, to address compliance with section 852.
The clause at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.232-40, Providing
Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors, already includes
most of the requirements of section 852. Therefore, DoD will continue
to use the FAR clause, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication.
However, this rule proposes to add a new contract clause at DFARS
252.232-7XXX, Accelerating Payments to Small Business Subcontractors--
Prohibition on Fees and Consideration. In accordance with section 852,
this new clause prohibits contractors from requiring any further
subcontractors when making accelerated payments under FAR 52.232-40.
The rule proposes to add this new clause to the list at section
212.301, Solicitation provisions and contract clauses for the
and proper documentation. This rule proposes to specify that DoD will
provide payment as quickly as possible, to the fullest extent permitted
by law, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of proper invoices and
business contractors and to other contractors that agree to provide
accelerated payments if such payments put DoD at risk of a violation of
obtained from the Federal Procurement Data System and input from
subject matter experts. Specifically, DoD awarded contracts to an
average of 40,689 unique entities (including 30,806 small businesses)
each year from FY 2016 through FY 2018. Subject matter experts
estimated that DoD would not provide accelerated payments to
approximately 1 percent (407, including 308 small businesses) of these
contractors because such payments would put DoD at risk of a violation
of law. Therefore, approximately 40,282 contractors (including 30,498
small businesses) per year would receive accelerated payments.
The clause at FAR 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to
Small Business Subcontractors, currently requires contractors to
provide accelerated payments to their small business subcontractors
when the Government provides accelerated payments to the contractors.
DoD contracting officers are required to include this clause in DoD
contracts. As a result, DoD contractors should already be providing
In accordance with section 852 of the NDAA for FY 2019, this rule
proposes to prohibit contractors from requiring any further
subcontractors when making accelerated payments. This prohibition will
be communicated to contractors in a new contract clause at DFARS
Prohibition on Fees and Consideration. This prohibition would benefit
small business subcontractors who have been required to provide
It is not possible for DoD to estimate the number of small business
subcontractors who have been required to provide consideration or pay
fees for accelerated payments from prime contractors, nor is it
possible to estimate the dollar value of the consideration provided or
fees paid. The lack of available data makes it difficult to predict the
impact of the proposed rule. Depending on the extent to which small
business subcontractors have been required to provide consideration or
pay fees to receive accelerated payments, the proposed prohibition
could result in cost savings. DoD invites public comment regarding the
number of small businesses required to provide such consideration or
fees to prime contractors, the basis for such estimates, and the cost
impact of the consideration or fees.
DoD intends to apply the requirements of section 852 of the NDAA
for FY 2019 to contracts at or below the simplified acquisition
threshold (SAT) and to contracts for the acquisition of commercial
items, including commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items.
DoD contracts are valued at or below the SAT, DoD intends to determine
that it is in the best interest of the Federal Government to apply the
rule to contracts at or below the SAT. An exception for contracts at or
contracts and subcontracts for the acquisition of
COTS items, DoD intends to determine that it is in the best interest of
the Federal Government to apply the rule to contracts for the
acquisition of commercial items, including COTS items, as defined at
FAR 2.101. An exception for contracts for the acquisition of commercial
items, including COTS items, would exclude the contracts intended to be
This rule is not expected to be subject to the requirements of E.O.
13771, because this rule is not a significant regulatory action under
DoD is proposing to amend the DFARS to implement section 852 of the
(Pub. L. 115-232). Section 852 requires DoD, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, to establish an accelerated payment date for small
business contractors, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of a proper
invoice, if a specific payment date is not established by contract. For
contractors that subcontract with small businesses, section 852
requires DoD, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to establish an
accelerated payment date, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of a
proper invoice, if--(1) a specific payment date is not established by
contract and (2) the contractor agrees to make accelerated payments to
the subcontractor without any further consideration from, or fees
charged to, the subcontractor.
The objective of the rule is to provide accelerated payments to
small business contractors and subcontractors. The legal basis is
section 852 of the NDAA for FY 2019.
According to data obtained from the Federal Procurement Data
System, DoD awarded contracts to an average of 30,806 unique small
308 small contractors (1%) because such payments would put DoD at risk
of a violation of law. Therefore, approximately 30,498 small
There are no known alternatives that would accomplish the stated
separately and should cite 5 U.S.C 610 (DFARS Case 2018-D068), in
Therefore, 48 CFR parts 212, 232, and 252 are proposed to be
(G) Use the clause at 252.232-7XXX, Accelerating Payments to Small
prescribed in 232.009-2(2).
232.009  Providing accelerated payments to small business
232.009-1  General.
232.009-2  Contract clause.
Use the clause at 252.232-7XXX, Accelerating Payments to Small
252.232-7XXX  Accelerating Payments to Small Business Subcontractors--
FEES AND CONSIDERATION (DATE)
(a) In accordance with section 852 of Public Law 115-232, the
accelerated payments to subcontractors under the clause at FAR
52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business
(b) Include the substance of this clause, including this
paragraph (b), in all subcontracts with small business concerns,
including those for the acquisition of commercial items.