[Federal Register: October 22, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 204)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53477-53479]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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Part II
Department of Defense
General Services Administration
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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48 CFR Chapter 1, et al.
Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR); Final Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Chapter 1
Federal Acquisition Circular 2001-01; Introduction
AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Summary presentation of final and interim rules.
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SUMMARY: This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR) rules agreed to by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and
the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council in this Federal Acquisition
Circular (FAC) 2001-01. A companion document, the Small Entity
Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC. The FAC, including the SECG,
is available via the Internet at http://www.arnet.gov/far.
DATES: For effective dates and comment dates, see separate documents
which follow.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS
Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of
content, contact the analyst whose name appears in the table below in
relation to each FAR case or subject area. Please cite FAC 2001-01 and
specific FAR case number(s). Interested parties may also visit our Web
site at http://www.arnet.gov/far.
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Item Subject FAR case Analyst
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I Application of the Davis-Bacon 1997-613 Nelson.
Act to Construction Contracts
With Options to Extend the
Term of the Contract.
II Acquisition of Commercial 2000-303 Moss.
Items.
III Prompt Payment Under Cost- 2000-308 Olson.
Reimbursement Contracts for
Services (Interim).
IV Veterans' Employment.......... 1998-614 Nelson.
V Veterans Entrepreneurship and 2000-302 Cundiff.
Small Business Development
Act of 1999 (Interim).
VI Very Small Business Pilot 2001-001 Cundiff.
Program.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Summaries for each FAR rule follow. For the
actual revisions and/or amendments to these FAR cases, refer to the
specific item number and subject set forth in the documents following
these item summaries.
Federal Acquisition Circular 2001-01 amends the FAR as specified
below:
Item I--Application of the Davis-Bacon Act to Construction
Contracts With Options To Extend the Term of the Contract
[FAR Case 1997-613]
This final rule implements the Department of Labor's requirement to
incorporate a current Davis-Bacon Act wage determination at the
exercise of each option to extend the term of a contract for
construction.
Item II--Acquisition of Commercial Items
[FAR Case 2000-303]
This final rule amends the FAR to clarify the definition of
``commercial item.'' The revised language will help contracting
officers make commerciality determinations. The rule also alerts
contracting officers to be aware of customary commercial terms and
conditions that may affect the contract price when pricing commercial
items. The rule also clarifies that Subpart 46.8, Contractor Liability
for Loss of or Damage to Property of the Government, does not apply to
acquisitions of commercial items. Contracting officers should use
standard commercial practices instead of the policies in Subpart 46.8.
Finally, the rule amends the clause at 52.212-4, Limitation of
liability, to conform it to standard commercial practice.
Item III--Prompt Payment Under Cost-Reimbursement Contracts for
Services
[FAR Case 2000-308]
This interim rule implements changes in the Office of Management
and Budget's (OMB) Prompt Payment Act regulations at 5 CFR 1315 that
implemented Section 1010 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2001. Those changes were published by OMB as an interim
final rule and became effective on December 15, 2000 (65 FR 78403) and
were applicable to all covered contracts awarded on or after December
15, 2000. Section 1010 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2001 requires agencies to pay an interest penalty, in
accordance with regulations issued, whenever an interim payment under a
cost-reimbursement contract for services is paid more than 30 days
after the agency receives a proper invoice from a contractor. The Act
does not permit payment of late payment penalty interest for any period
prior to December 15, 2000.
This FAR amendment eliminates the prior policy and contract clause
prohibitions on payment of late payment penalty interest for late
interim finance payments under cost-reimbursement contracts for
services. It adds new policy and contract clause coverage to provide
for those penalty payments.
Item IV--Veterans' Employment
[FAR Case 1998-614]
This final rule amends the FAR to implement statutory and
regulatory changes relating to veterans' employment opportunities and
reporting. Most significantly for contracting officers, the rule amends
the FAR to prohibit contracting officers from obligating or expending
appropriated funds to enter into a contract with a contractor that has
not met its veterans' employment reporting requirements (VETS-100
Report). This prohibition does not apply to contracts for commercial
items or contracts valued at or below the simplified acquisition
threshold. The rule adds a new solicitation provision that requires
each offeror to represent, by submission of its offer, that it is in
compliance with the VETS-100 reporting requirements. The contracting
officer may verify compliance by checking with the Department of Labor.
Item V--Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
Act of 1999
[FAR Case 2000-302]
This interim rule amends the FAR to implement section 803 of the
Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000, part of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2001 (Pub. L. 106-554) that was enacted on December
21, 2000.
This rule requires a contractor that is required to submit a
subcontracting plan to report as a separate subcontracting plan goal
requirement, subcontracting
[[Page 53479]]
activity pertaining to service-disabled veteran-owned small business
concerns. The rule also changes the Standard Form (SF) 294,
``Subcontracting Report for Individual Contracts,'' and the SF 295,
``Summary Subcontract Report,'' to capture this category of information
for the contracting officer.
Item VI--Very Small Business Pilot Program
[FAR Case 2001-001]
This final rule amends FAR Subpart 19.9 to implement Section 503(c)
of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (part of Public Law
106-554). Section 503(c) extends, for three additional years, the Very
Small Business Pilot Program until September 30, 2003. The purpose of
the program is to improve access to Government contract opportunities
for concerns that are substantially below SBA's size standards by
reserving certain acquisitions for competition among such concerns.
Dated: October 12, 2001.
Al Matera,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
Federal Acquisition Circular
Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2001-01 is issued under the
authority of the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General
Services, and the Administrator for the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
Unless otherwise specified, all Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR) and other directive material contained in FAC 2001-01 is
effective December 21, 2001, except for Items III and V, which are
effective October 22, 2001.
Dated: August 31, 2001.
Carolyn M. Balven,
Acting Director, Defense Procurement.
Dated: August 28, 2001.
David A. Drabkin,
Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Acquisition Policy,
General Services Administration.
Dated: August 27, 2001.
Anne Guenther,
Acting Associate Administrator for Procurement, National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-26295 Filed 10-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P
[Federal Register: October 22, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 204)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53479-53483]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc01-10]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONATICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Parts 1, 22, and 52
[FAC 2001-01; FAR Case 1997-613; Item I]
RIN 9000-AI47
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Application of the Davis-Bacon
Act to Construction Contracts With Options To Extend the Term of the
Contract
AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule
amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement the
requirement of Department of Labor (DoL) All Agency Memorandum No. 157
(AAM 157), as clarified in the Federal Register on November 20, 1998,
at 63 FR 64542. The rule requires incorporation of the current Davis-
Bacon Act wage determination at the exercise of each option period in
construction contracts.
DATES: Effective Date: December 21, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS
Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of
content, contact Ms. Linda Nelson, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
1900. Please cite FAC 2001-01, FAR case 1997-613.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
This final rule provides for incorporation of the current Davis-
Bacon Act wage determination at the exercise of each option to extend
the term of a contract for construction, or a contract that includes
substantial and segregable construction work. Unlike the Service
Contract Act, the Davis-Bacon Act and its implementing regulations do
not state that new or revised wage determinations must be incorporated
at the exercise of each contract option period.
On December 9, 1992, DoL issued AAM 157, which required
incorporation of a current Davis-Bacon Act wage determination at the
exercise of each option period in construction contracts containing
options to extend the term of the contract. Following several years of
controversy regarding the authority of the DoL to issue AAM 157, DoL
Administrative Review Board confirmed on July 17,1997, the authority of
the DoL Administrator's ruling that a current Davis-Bacon Act wage
determination must be incorporated at the exercise of an option to
extend the term of the contract. The Review Board also directed DoL to
clarify the language of AAM 157 and to republish the memorandum in the
Federal Register at 63 FR 64542, November 20, 1998.
On December 3, 1999, DoD, GSA, and NASA published a proposed rule
in the Federal Register at 64 FR 67986. Eight respondents submitted
comments on the proposed rule. The comments were considered in the
development of the final rule.
This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not
subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866,
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., applies to
this final rule. The Councils prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis (FRFA). The FAR Secretariat has submitted a copy of the FRFA
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.
The FRFA is summarized as follows:
The final rule amends FAR Parts 1, 22, and 52 to implement the
requirement of Department of Labor (DoL) All Agency Memorandum No.
157 (AAM 157), as clarified in the Federal Register on November 20,
1998. The rule requires incorporation of the current Davis-Bacon Act
wage determination at the exercise of each option period in
construction contracts. The rule provides four alternative methods
of adjusting the contract price when exercising the option to extend
the term of the contract.
1. No adjustment in contract price (because the option prices
may include an amount to cover estimated increases);
2. Price adjustment based on a separately specified pricing
method, such as application of a coefficient to an annually
published unit pricing book incorporated at option exercise;
3. A percentage price adjustment, based on a published economic
indicator; and
4. A price adjustment based on a specific calculation to reflect
the annual increase or decrease in wages and fringe benefits as a
result of incorporation of the new wage determination.
The last method, applying calculations similar to the
calculations of price
[[Page 53480]]
adjustments in contracts subject to the Service Contract Act,
removes the risk to the contractor, but imposes some reporting
requirements, to provide the required information upon which to base
the price adjustment. However, the contractor is already required to
keep payroll records upon which the calculations are based, so the
burden is not significant. Data for fiscal year 1998 indicates the
Government awarded 229 indefinite-delivery construction contracts,
of which 121 were awarded to small businesses. Nearly all
construction contracts with delivery contracts and most indefinite-
delivery contracts have options to extend the term. Although there
is no database to determine the number of contracts for other than
construction that have substantial and segregable construction
requirements, we estimate 225 prime contractors and 675
subcontractors, of which approximately 50 percent are small
businesses.
Interested parties may obtain a copy of the FRFA from the FAR
Secretariat.
DoD, GSA, and NASA published a proposed rule in the Federal
Register at 64 FR 67986, December 3, 1999. Eight respondents submitted
comments on the proposed rule. No comments were received on the IRFA.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act applies. The FAR Secretariat submitted
a request for approval of a revised information collection requirement
concerning application of the Davis-Bacon Act to construction contracts
with options to extend the term of the contract to the Office of
Management andBudget (OMB). The burden associated with this rule has
been approved under OMB Control No. 9000-0154.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1, 22, and 52
Government procurement.
Dated: October 12, 2001.
Al Matera,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 1, 22, and 52 as
set forth below:
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 1, 22, and 52 continues
to read as follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and42 U.S.C.
2473(c).
PART 1--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM
2. Amend section 1.106 in the table following the introductory
paragraph by adding an entry to read as follows:
1.106 OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
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* * * * *
FAR segment............................ OMB Control No.
* * * * *
52.222-32.............................. 9000-0154
* * * * *
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PART 22--APPLICATION OF LABOR LAWS TO GOVERNMENTACQUISITIONS
22.403-4 [Amended]
3. Amend section 22.403-4 in paragraph (b)(5) by removing the words
``Wage Appeals'' and by adding ``Administrative Review'' in its place.
4. Amend section 22.404-1(a)(1) by revising the third sentence; and
paragraph (b) by revising the fourth sentence to read as follows:
22.404-1 Types of wage determinations.
(a) General wage determinations. (1) * * * Once incorporated in a
contract, a general wage determination normally remains effective for
the life of the contract, unless the contracting officer exercises an
option to extend the term of the contract (see 22.404-12). * * *
(b) * * * Once incorporated in a contract, a project wage
determination normally remains effective for the life of the contract,
unless the contracting officer exercises an option to extend the term
of the contract (see 22.404-12).
5. Amend section 22.404-2 by revising paragraph (a) to read as
follows:
22.404-2 General requirements.
(a) The contracting officer must incorporate only the appropriate
wage determinations in solicitations and contracts and must designate
the work to which each determination or part thereof applies. The
contracting officer must not include project wage determinations in
contracts or options other than those for which they are issued. When
exercising an option to extend the term of a contract, the contracting
officer must select the most current wage determination(s) from the
same schedule(s) as the wage determination(s) incorporated into the
contract.
* * * * *
6. In section 22.404-3, revise the last sentence of paragraph (c);
remove paragraph (d); and redesignate paragraph (e) as (d) to read as
follows:
22.404-3 Procedures for requesting wage determinations.
* * * * *
(c) * * * Accordingly, agencies should submit requests to the
Department of Labor at least 45 days (60 days if possible) before
issuing the solicitation or exercising an option to extend the term of
a contract.
* * * * *
7. In section 22.404-6, revise paragraph (a); and add paragraph (d)
to read as follows:
22.404-6 Modifications of wage determinations.
(a) General. (1) The Department of Labor may modify a wage
determination to make it current by specifying only the items being
changed or by reissuing the entire determination with changes
incorporated.
(2) All project wage determination modifications expire on the same
day as the original determination. The need to include a modification
of a project wage determination in a solicitation is determined by the
time of receipt of the modification by the contracting agency.
Therefore, the contracting agency must annotate the modification of the
project wage determination with the date and time immediately upon
receipt.
(3) The need for inclusion of the modification of a general wage
determination in a solicitation is determined by the publication date
of the notice in the Federal Register, or by the time of receipt of the
modification (annotated with the date and time immediately upon
receipt) by the contracting agency, whichever occurs first. (Note the
distinction between receipt by the agency (modification is effective)
and receipt by the contracting officer, which may occur later.)
* * * * *
(d) The following applies when modifying a contract to exercise an
option to extend the term of a contract:
(1) A modified wage determination is effective if--
(i) The contracting agency receives a written action from the
Department of Labor prior to exercise of the option, or within 45 days
after submission of a wage determination request (22.404-3(c)),
whichever is later; or
(ii) The Department of Labor publishes notice of modifications to
general wage determinations in the Federal Register before exercise of
the option.
(2) If the contracting officer receives an effective modified wage
determination either before or after execution of the contract
modification to exercise the option, the contracting officer must
modify the contract to incorporate the modified wage determination, and
any changed wage rates, effective as of the date that the option to
extend was effective.
8. Revise section 22.404-7 to read as follows:
[[Page 53481]]
22.404-7 Correction of wage determinations containing clerical errors.
Upon the Department of Labor's own initiative or at the request of
the contracting agency, the Administrator, Wage and Hour Division, may
correct any wage determination found to contain clerical errors. Such
corrections will be effective immediately, and will apply to any
solicitation or active contract. Before contract award, the contracting
officer must follow the procedures in 22.404-5(b)(1) or (2)(i) or (ii)
in sealed bidding, and the procedures in 22.404-5(c)(3) or (4) in
negotiations. After contract award, the contracting officer must follow
the procedures at 22.404-6(b)(5), except that for contract
modifications to exercise an option to extend the term of the contract,
the contracting officer must follow the procedures at 22.404-6(d)(2).
9. In section 22.404-10, revise the first sentence to read as
follows:
22.404-10 Posting wage determinations and notice.
The contractor must keep a copy of the applicable wage
determination (and any approved additional classifications) posted at
the site of the work in a prominent place where the workers can easily
see it. * * *
22.404-11 [Amended]
10. In section 22.404-11, amend the first sentence by removing ``a
Wage Appeals'' and adding ``an Administrative Review'' in its place.
11. Add section 22.404-12 to read as follows:
22.404-12 Labor standards for contracts containing construction
requirements and option provisions that extend the term of the
contract.
(a) Each time the contracting officer exercises an option to extend
the term of a contract for construction, or a contract that includes
substantial and segregable construction work, the contracting officer
must modify the contract to incorporate the most current wage
determination.
(b) If a contract with an option to extend the term of the contract
has indefinite-delivery or indefinite-quantity construction
requirements, the contracting officer must incorporate the wage
determination incorporated into the contract at the exercise of the
option into task orders issued during that option period. The wage
determination will be effective for the complete period of performance
of those task orders without further revision.
(c) The contracting officer must include in fixed-price contracts a
clause that specifies one of the following methods, suitable to the
interest of the Government, to provide an allowance for any increases
or decreases in labor costs that result from the inclusion of the
current wage determination at the exercise of an option to extend the
term of the contract:
(1) The contracting officer may provide the offerors the
opportunity to bid or propose separate prices for each option period.
The contracting officer must not further adjust the contract price as a
result of the incorporation of a new or revised wage determination at
the exercise of each option to extend the term of the contract.
Generally, this method is used in construction-only contracts (with
options to extend the term) that are not expected to exceed a total of
3 years.
(2) The contracting officer may include in the contract a
separately specified pricing method that permits an adjustment to the
contract price or contract labor unit price at the exercise of each
option to extend the term of the contract. At the time of option
exercise, the contracting officer must incorporate a new wage
determination into the contract, and must apply the specific pricing
method to calculate the contract price adjustment. An example of a
contract pricing method that the contracting officer might separately
specify is incorporation in the solicitation and resulting contract of
the pricing data from an annually published unit pricing book (e.g.,
the R.S. Means Cost Estimating System, or the U.S. Army Computer-Aided
Cost Estimating System), which is multiplied in the contract by a
factor proposed by the contractor (e.g., .95 or 1.1). At option
exercise, the contracting officer incorporates the pricing data from
the latest annual edition of the unit pricing book, multiplied by the
factor agreed to in the basic contract. The contracting officer must
not further adjust the contract price as a result of the incorporation
of the new or revised wage determination.
(3) The contracting officer may provide for a contract price
adjustment based solely on a percentage rate determined by the
contracting officer using a published economic indicator incorporated
into the solicitation and resulting contract. At the exercise of each
option to extend the term of the contract, the contracting officer will
apply the percentage rate, based on the economic indicator, to the
portion of the contract price or contract unit price designated in the
contract clause as labor costs subject to the provisions of the Davis-
Bacon Act. The contracting officer must insert 50 percent as the
estimated portion of the contract price that is labor unless the
contracting officer determines, prior to issuance of the solicitation,
that a different percentage is more appropriate for a particular
contract or requirement. This percentage adjustment to the designated
labor costs must be the only adjustment made to cover increases in
wages and/or benefits resulting from the incorporation of a new or
revised wage determination at the exercise of the option.
(4) The contracting officer may provide a computation method to
adjust the contract price to reflect the contractor's actual increase
or decrease in wages and fringe benefits (combined) to the extent that
the increase is made to comply with, or the decrease is voluntarily
made by the contractor as a result of incorporation of, a new or
revised wage determination at the exercise of the option to extend the
term of the contract. Generally, this method is appropriate for use
only if contract requirements are predominately services subject to the
Service Contract Act and the construction requirements are substantial
and segregable. The methods used to adjust the contract price for the
service requirements and the construction requirements would be
similar.
12. In section 22.406-3, add paragraph (e) to read as follows:
22.406-3 Additional classifications.
* * * * *
(e) In each option to extend the term of the contract, if any
laborer or mechanic is to be employed during the option in a
classification that is not listed (or no longer listed) on the wage
determination incorporated in that option, the contracting officer must
require that the contractor submit a request for conformance using the
procedures noted in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section.
22.406-10 [Amended]
13. Amend section 22.406-10 in the last sentence of paragraph (e)
by removing the words ``Wage Appeals'' and by adding ``Administrative
Review'' in its place.
14. In section 22.407, add paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) to read as
follows:
22.407 Contract clauses.
* * * * *
(e) Insert the clause at 52.222-30, Davis-Bacon Act--Price
Adjustment (None or Separately Specified Pricing Method), in
solicitations and contracts if the contract is expected to be--
(1) A fixed-price contract subject to the Davis-Bacon Act that will
contain option provisions by which the
[[Page 53482]]
contracting officer may extend the term of the contract, and the
contracting officer determines the most appropriate contract price
adjustment method is the method at 22.404-12(c)(1) or (2); or
(2) A cost-reimbursable type contract subject to the Davis-Bacon
Act that will contain option provisions by which the contracting
officer may extend the term of the contract.
(f) Insert the clause at 52.222-31, Davis-Bacon Act--Price
Adjustment (Percentage Method), in solicitations and contracts if the
contract is expected to be a fixed-price contract subject to the Davis-
Bacon Act that will contain option provisions by which the contracting
officer may extend the term of the contract, and the contracting
officer determines the most appropriate contract price adjustment
method is the method at 22.404-12(c)(3).
(g) Insert the clause at 52.222-32, Davis-Bacon Act--Price
Adjustment (Actual Method), in solicitations and contracts if the
contract is expected to be a fixed-price contract subject to the Davis-
Bacon Act that will contain option provisions by which the contracting
officer may extend the term of the contract, and the contracting
officer determines the most appropriate method to establish contract
price is the method at 22.404-12(c)(4).
PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
15. Add sections 52.222-30, 52.222-31, and 52.222-32 to read as
follows:
52.222-30 Davis-Bacon Act--Price Adjustment (None or Separately
Specified Method).
As prescribed in 22.407(e), insert the following clause:
Davis-Bacon Act--Price Adjustment (None or Separately Specified Method)
(Dec 2001)
(a) The wage determination issued under the Davis-Bacon Act by
the Administrator, Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, that is effective for an
option to extend the term of the contract, will apply to that option
period.
(b) The Contracting Officer will make no adjustment in contract
price, other than provided for elsewhere in this contract, to cover
any increases or decreases in wages and benefits as a result of--
(1) Incorporation of the Department of Labor's wage
determination applicable at the exercise of the option to extend the
term of the contract;
(2) Incorporation of a wage determination otherwise applied to
the contract by operation of law; or
(3) An increase in wages and benefits resulting from any other
requirement applicable to workers subject to the Davis-Bacon Act.
(End of clause)
52.222-31 Davis-Bacon Act--Price Adjustment (Percentage Method).
As prescribed in 22.407(f), insert the following clause:
Davis-Bacon Act--Price Adjustment (Percentage Method) (Dec 2001)
(a) The wage determination issued under the Davis-Bacon Act by
the Administrator, Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, that is effective for an
option to extend the term of the contract, will apply to that option
period.
(b) The Contracting Officer will adjust the portion of the
contract price or contract unit price(s) containing the labor costs
subject to the Davis-Bacon Act to provide for an increase in wages
and fringe benefits at the exercise of each option to extend the
term of the contract in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) The Contracting Officer has determined that the portion of
the contract price or contract unit price(s) containing labor costs
subject to the Davis-Bacon Act is ____________ [Contracting Officer
insert percentage rate] percent.
(2) The Contracting Officer will increase the portion of the
contract price or contract unit price(s) containing the labor costs
subject to the Davis-Bacon Act by the percentage rate published in
____________[ContractingOfficer insert publication].
(c) The Contracting Officer will make the price adjustment at
the exercise of each option to extend the term of the contract. This
adjustment is the only adjustment that the Contracting Officer will
make to cover any increases in wages and benefits as a result of--
(1) Incorporation of the Department of Labor's wage
determination applicable at the exercise of the option to extend the
term of the contract;
(2) Incorporation of a wage determination otherwise applied to
the contract by operation of law; or
(3) An increase in wages and benefits resulting from any other
requirement applicable to workers subject to the Davis-Bacon Act.
(End of clause)
52.222-32 Davis-Bacon Act--Price Adjustment (Actual Method).
As prescribed in 22.407(g), insert the following clause:
Davis-Bacon Act--Price Adjustment (Actual Method) (Dec 2001)
(a) The wage determination issued under the Davis-Bacon Act by
the Administrator, Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, that is effective for an
option to extend the term of the contract, will apply to that option
period.
(b)(1) The Contractor states that if the prices in this contract
contain an allowance for wage or benefit increases, such allowance
will not be included in any request for contract price adjustment
submitted under this clause.
(2) The Contractor shall provide with each request for contract
price adjustment under this clause a statement that the prices in
the contract do not include any allowance for any increased cost for
which adjustment is being requested.
(c) The Contracting Officer will adjust the contract price or
contract unit price labor rates to reflect the Contractor's actual
increase or decrease in wages and fringe benefits to the extent that
the increase is made to comply with, or the decrease is voluntarily
made by the Contractor as a result of--
(1) Incorporation of the Department of Labor's Davis-Bacon Act
wage determination applicable at the exercise of an option to extend
the term of the contract; or
(2) Incorporation of a Davis-Bacon Act wage determination
otherwise applied to the contract by operation of law.
(d) Any adjustment will be limited to increases or decreases in
wages and fringe benefits as described in paragraph (c) of this
clause, and the accompanying increases or decreases in social
security and unemployment taxes and workers' compensation insurance,
but will not otherwise include any amount for general and
administrative costs, overhead, or profit.
(e) The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer of any
increase claimed under this clause within 30 days after receiving a
revised wage determination unless this notification period is
extended in writing by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall
notify the Contracting Officer promptly of any decrease under this
clause, but nothing in this clause precludes the Government from
asserting a claim within the period permitted by law. The notice
shall contain a statement of the amount claimed and any relevant
supporting data, including payroll records that the Contracting
Officer may reasonably require. Upon agreement of the parties, the
Contracting Officer will modify the contract price or contract unit
price in writing. The Contractor shall continue performance pending
agreement on or determination of any such adjustment and its
effective date.
(f) Contract price adjustment computations shall be computed as
follows:
(1) Computation for contract unit price per single craft hour
for schedule of indefinite-quantity work. For each labor
classification, the difference between the actual wage and benefit
rates (combined) paid and the wage and benefit rates (combined)
required by the new wage determination shall be added to the
original contract unit price if the difference results in a combined
increase. If the difference computed results in a combined decrease,
the contract unit price shall be decreased by that amount if the
Contractor provides notification as provided in paragraph (e) of
this clause.
(2) Computation for contract unit price containing multiple
craft hours for schedule of indefinite-quantity work. For each labor
classification, the difference between the actual wage and benefit
rates (combined) paid and the wage and benefit rates (combined)
required by the new wage
[[Page 53483]]
determination shall be multiplied by the actual number of hours
expended for each craft involved in accomplishing the unit-priced
work item. The product of this computation will then be divided by
the actual number of units ordered in the preceding contract period.
The total of these computations for each craft will be added to the
current contract unit price to obtain the new contract unit price.
The extended amount for the contract line item will be obtained by
multiplying the new unit price by the estimated quantity. If actual
hours are not available from the preceding contract period for
computation of the adjustment for a specific contract unit of work,
the Contractor, in agreement with the Contracting Officer, shall
estimate the total hours per craft per contract unit of work.
Example: Asphalt Paving--Current Price $3.38 per Square Yard
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hourly Increase/
DBA craft New WD rate paid Diff. Actual hrs. Actual units (sq. yard) sq. yard
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equip. Opr........ $18.50 - $18.00 = $.50 x 600 hrs./ 3,000 sq. yrd. = $.10
Truck Driver...... $19.00 - $18.25 = $.75 x 525 hrs./ 3,000 sq. yrd. = $.13
Laborer........... $11.50 - $11.25 = $.25 x 750 hrs./ 3,000 sq. yrd. = $.06
-----------
Total increase per square yard............................................................ $.29
* Note: Adjustment for labor rate increases or decreases may be accompanied by social security and unemployment taxes and workers' compensation
insurance.
Current unit price (per square yard) $3.38
Add DBA price adj................... +.29
New unit price (per square yard).... $3.67
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(End of clause)
[FR Doc. 01-26296 Filed 10-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P
[Federal Register: October 22, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 204)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53483-53485]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc01-11]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Parts 2, 12, 46, and 52
[FAC 2001-01; FAR Case 2000-303; Item II]
RIN 9000-AI88
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Acquisition of Commercial Items
AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule
amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement two
statutory changes to the definition and application of ``Commercial
Items'': Section 803(a)(2)(D) of the Strom Thurmond National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to revise the definition of
``commercial item'' to provide specific guidance on the meaning and
appropriate application of the terms ``purposes other than government
purposes'' at 41 U.S.C. 403(12)(A); and Section 805 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 to clarify the
definition of ``commercial item'' with respect to associated services.
The final rule also makes changes related to the acquisition of
commercial items, including conforming the coverage regarding
contractor liability for property loss or damage to commercial
practice.
DATES: Effective Date: December 21, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS
Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of
content, contact Ms. Victoria Moss, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
4764. Please cite FAC 2001-01, FAR case 2000-303.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial
Items, was developed to implement Title VIII of the Federal Acquisition
Streamlining Act of 1994 (FASA) (Pub. L. 103-355). The regulations
became effective on October 1, 1995.
The final rule revises--
Paragraph (a) of the ``commercial item'' definition at FAR
2.101 and the corresponding definition in the clause at FAR 52.202-1,
and FAR 12.102 to implement Section 803(a)(2)(D) of the Strom Thurmond
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (Pub. L. 105-
261). Section 803(a)(2)(D) requires that the FAR be revised to provide
specific guidance on the meaning and appropriate application of the
term ``purposes other than government purposes'' in the definition of
``commercial item'' at 41 U.S.C. 403(12)(A);
Paragraph (e) of the ``commercial item'' definition at FAR
2.101 to implement Section 805 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (Pub. L. 106-65) (Clarification of Definition
of Commercial Items with Respect to Associated Services). Section 805
clarifies that services ancillary to a commercial item, such as
installation, maintenance, repair, training, and other support
services, are considered a commercial service, regardless of whether
the service is provided by the same vendor or at the same time as the
item, if the service is provided contemporaneously to the general
public under similar terms and conditions. The FAR clause at 52.202-1,
Definitions, is similarly revised to make the new definition available
to contractors and subcontractors;
Paragraph (f) of the ``commercial item'' definition at FAR
2.101 to add definitions of ``catalog price'' and ``market price''
which provide guidance for identifying services that may be acquired
under FAR Part 12;
FAR 12.209 to add guidance concerning customary commercial
terms and conditions related to the determination of price
reasonableness when pricing commercial items;
Subpart 46.8 to reconcile it with the coverage regarding
contractor liability for property loss or damage with paragraph (p) in
the clause at 52.212-4; and
Paragraph (p) in the clause at 52.212-4 to conform to
commercial practice (i.e., deleting the phrase ``or implied'' permits
industry to take advantage of the latitude provided by the Uniform
Commercial Code which
[[Page 53484]]
allows sellers to exclude the application of an implied warranty
through the terms of an express warranty).
DoD, GSA, and NASA published a proposed rule in the Federal
Register at 65 FR 52284, August 28, 2000. Six sources submitted
comments in response to the proposed rule. The FAR Council considered
all comments in the development of the final rule.
This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not
subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866,
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration certify that this
final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because changes made by the
rule will primarily affect large businesses that are more likely than
small businesses to have separate workforces for Federal contracts and
to be ultimately liable for consequential damages. It clarifies the
definition of commercial item to more closely parallel the statutory
language and provide guidance for identifying services that may be
acquired under FAR Part 12. The rule further conforms language
regarding contractor liability to commercial practice.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to
the FAR do not impose information collection requirements that require
the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C.
3501, et seq.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR parts 2, 12, 46, and 52
Government procurement.
Dated: October 12, 2001.
Al Matera,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 2, 12, 46, and 52
as set forth below:
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 2, 12, 46, and 52
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42
U.S.C. 2473(c).
PART 2--DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS
2. In section 2.101, amend the definition ``Commercial item'' by
revising the introductory text of paragraph (1), and paragraphs (5) and
(6) to read as follows:
2.101 Definitions.
* * * * *
Commercial item means--
(1) Any item, other than real property, that is of a type
customarily used by the general public or by non-governmental entities
for purposes other than governmental purposes, and--
* * * * *
(5) Installation services, maintenance services, repair services,
training services, and other services if--
(i) Such services are procured for support of an item referred to
in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of this definition, regardless of
whether such services are provided by the same source or at the same
time as the item; and
(ii) The source of such services provides similar services
contemporaneously to the general public under terms and conditions
similar to those offered to the Federal Government;
(6) Services of a type offered and sold competitively in
substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace based on
established catalog or market prices for specific tasks performed under
standard commercial terms and conditions. This does not include
services that are sold based on hourly rates without an established
catalog or market price for a specific service performed. For purposes
of these services--
(i) Catalog price means a price included in a catalog, price list,
schedule, or other form that is regularly maintained by the
manufacturer or vendor, is either published or otherwise available for
inspection by customers, and states prices at which sales are
currently, or were last, made to a significant number of buyers
constituting the general public; and
(ii) Market prices means current prices that are established in the
course of ordinary trade between buyers and sellers free to bargain and
that can be substantiated through competition or from sources
independent of the offerors.
* * * * *
PART 12--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS
3. Amend section 12.102 by redesignating paragraph (d) as paragraph
(e) and by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:
12.102 Applicability.
* * * * *
(d) The definition of commercial item in section 2.101 uses the
phrase ``purposes other than governmental purposes.'' These purposes
are those that are not unique to a government.
* * * * *
4. Revise section 12.209 to read as follows:
12.209 Determination of price reasonableness.
While the contracting officer must establish price reasonableness
in accordance with 13.106-3, 14.408-2, or subpart 15.4, as applicable,
the contracting officer should be aware of customary commercial terms
and conditions when pricing commercial items. Commercial item prices
are affected by factors that include, but are not limited to, speed of
delivery, length and extent of warranty, limitations of seller's
liability, quantities ordered, length of the performance period, and
specific performance requirements. The contracting officer must ensure
that contract terms, conditions, and prices are commensurate with the
Government's need.
PART 46--QUALITY ASSURANCE
5. In section 46.801, revise the last sentence of paragraph (a) to
read as follows:
46.801 Applicability.
(a) * * * This subpart does not apply to commercial items.
* * * * *
46.804 [Removed and Reserved]
6. Remove and reserve section 46.804.
PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
7. In section 52.202-1, revise the date of the clause and
paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(5), and (c)(6) to read as follows:
52.202-1 Definitions.
* * * * *
Definitions (Dec 2001)
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(1) Any item, other than real property, that is of a type
customarily used by the general public or by non-governmental
entities for purposes other than governmental purposes, and that--
(i) Has been sold, leased, or licensed to the general public; or
(ii) Has been offered for sale, lease, or license to the general
public;
* * * * *
[[Page 53485]]
(5) Installation services, maintenance services, repair
services, training services, and other services if--
(i) Such services are procured for support of an item referred
to in paragraph (c)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this definition,
regardless of whether such services are provided by the same source
or at the same time as the item; and
(ii) The source of such services provides similar services
contemporaneously to the general public under terms and conditions
similar to those offered to the Federal Government;
(6) Services of a type offered and sold competitively in
substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace based on
established catalog or market prices for specific tasks performed
under standard commercial terms and conditions. This does not
include services that are sold based on hourly rates without an
established catalog or market price for a specific service
performed. For purposes of these services--
(i) Catalog price means a price included in a catalog, price
list, schedule, or other form that is regularly maintained by the
manufacturer or vendor, is either published or otherwise available
for inspection by customers, and states prices at which sales are
currently, or were last, made to a significant number of buyers
constituting the general public; and
(ii) Market prices means current prices that are established in
the course of ordinary trade between buyers and sellers free to
bargain and that can be substantiated through competition or from
sources independent of the offerors.
* * * * *
52.212-4 [Amended]
8. Amend section 52.212-4 by revising the date in the clause
heading to read ``(Dec 2001)''; and by removing ``or implied'' from
paragraph (p).
[FR Doc. 01-26297 Filed 10-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P
[Federal Register: October 22, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 204)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53485-53487]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc01-12]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Parts 2, 32 and 52
[FAC 2001-01; FAR Case 2000-308; Item III]
RIN 9000-AJ17
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Prompt Payment Under Cost-
Reimbursement Contracts for Services
AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General ServicesAdministration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration (NASA).
ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on an interim
rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to require
agencies to pay an interest penalty whenever they make an interim
payment under a cost-reimbursement contract for services more than 30
days after the agency receives a proper invoice from the contractor.
DATES: Effective Date: October 22, 2001.
Applicability Date: This amendment is applicable to solicitations
issued and contracts awarded on or after October 22, 2001. Any cost
reimbursement solicitations issued or contracts awarded for services on
or after December 15, 2000, but prior to October 22, 2001 must be
amended/modified to incorporate the new Alternate I to 52.232-25. In no
event may agencies pay late payment penalty interest for any delay in
payment that occurred prior to December 15, 2000.
Comment Date: Interested parties should submit comments to the FAR
Secretariat at the address shown below on or before December 21, 2001
to be considered in the formulation of a final rule.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to: General Services Administration,
FAR Secretariat (MVP), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Attn: Ms. Laurie
Duarte, Washington, DC 20405. Submit electronic comments via the
Internet to: farcase.2000-308@gsa.gov
Please submit comments only and cite FAC 2001-01, FAR case 2000-
308, in all correspondence related to this case.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS
Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of
content, contact Mr. Jeremy Olson at (202) 501-3221. Please cite FAC
2001--01, FAR case 2000-308.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
This FAR amendment implements changes in the Office of Management
and Budget's (OMB) Prompt Payment Act regulations at 5 CFR part 1315
that implemented Section 1010 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2001. Those changes were published by OMB as an interim
final rule and became effective on December 15, 2000 (65 FR 78403).
Section 1010 requires agencies to pay an interest penalty, in
accordance with regulations issued, whenever an interim payment under a
cost-reimbursement contract for services is paid more than 30 days
after the agency receives a proper invoice from a contractor. The Act
does not permit payment of late payment interest penalty for any period
prior to December 15, 2000.
This FAR amendment eliminates the prior policy and contract clause
prohibitions on payment of late payment penalty interest for late
interim finance payments under cost reimbursement contracts for
services. It adds new policy and a contract clause, Alternate I to
52.232-25, to provide for those penalty payments. The policy and clause
apply to all covered contracts awarded on or after December 15, 2000.
OMB's regulation states that agencies, at their discretion, may apply
the revisions made by Section 1010 to interim payment requests received
under cost-reimbursement contracts for services awarded prior to
December 15, 2000. Accordingly, agencies may apply the FAR changes made
by this rule to contracts awarded prior to December 15, 2000, at their
discretion provided no late payment interest penalty is paid for any
period prior to December 15, 2000.
This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not
subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866,
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The interim rule is not expected to have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of
the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the
number of small entities receiving awards of cost-reimbursement
contracts for services is very low compared to the number of fixed-
price-type contracts awarded. Therefore, an Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis has not been performed. The Councils will consider
comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR Parts in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such
comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C 601, et seq. (FAC 2001-01,
FAR case 2000-308), in correspondence.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to
the FAR do not impose information collection requirements that require
the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C.
3501, et seq.
[[Page 53486]]
D. Determination to Issue an Interim Rule
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 amendments to the controlling regulation
issued by OMB (5 CFR part 1315, 65 FR 78403) became effective on
December 15, 2000. (Section 1010 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2001, which required OMB to issue the regulation,
was effective December 15, 2000.) This amendment to the FAR is
necessary to enable agencies to comply with OMB's interim final rule in
the most effective and consistent manner possible.
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. In addition, this interim rule will be
revised, as necessary, to reflect any changes OMB may make to its
regulations in promulgating a final rule.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 2, 32 and 52
Government procurement.
Dated: October 12, 2001.
Al Matera,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 2, 32 and 52 as
set forth below:
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 2, 32 and 52 continues
to read as follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and42 U.S.C.
2473(c).
PART 2--DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS
2.101 [Amended]
2. In section 2.101, amend the definition ``Proper invoice'' by
removing ``32.905(e)'' and adding ``32.905(f)'' in its place.
PART 32--CONTRACT FINANCING
3. Amend section 32.902 in the definition ``Contract financing
payment'' by revising the second sentence; revising the definition
``Invoice payment''; and in the definition ``Receiving report'' by
removing ``32.905(f)'' and adding ``32.905(g)'' in its place. The
revised text reads as follows:
32.902 Definitions.
* * * Contract financing payments include advance payments,
progress payments based on cost under the clause at 52.232-16, Progress
Payments, progress payments based on a percentage or stage of
completion (see 32.102(e)(1)) other than those made under the clause at
52.232-5, Payments Under Fixed-Price Construction Contracts, or the
clause at 52.232-10, Payments Under Fixed-Price Architect-Engineer
Contracts, and interim payments on cost-type contracts other than
contracts for services. * * *
* * * * *
Invoice payment means a Government disbursement of monies to a
contractor under a contract or other authorization for supplies or
services accepted by the Government.
(1) This includes payments for partial deliveries that have been
accepted by the Government and final cost or fee payments where amounts
owed have been settled between the Government and the contractor.
(2) For purposes of this subpart, invoice payments also include all
payments made under the clause at 52.232-5, Payments Under Fixed-Price
Construction Contracts, the clause at 52.232-10, Payments Under Fixed-
Price Architect-Engineer Contracts, or the clause at 52.232-25, Prompt
Payment, when Alternate I is used for interim payments on cost-
reimbursement contracts for services.
(3) Invoice payments do not include contract financing payments.
* * * * *
4. Amend section 32.905 by--
a. Removing from the introductory text of paragraph (a)``paragraphs
(b), (c), and (d)'' and adding ``paragraphs (b) through (e)'' in its
place;
b. Redesignating paragraphs (e) through (j) as (f) through (k),
respectively, and adding a new paragraph (e);
c. Revising the introductory text of newly designated paragraph
(f); and
d. Revising the first sentence of the introductory text of newly
designated paragraph (g) to read as follows:
32.905 Invoice payments.
* * * * *
(e) Cost-reimbursement contracts for services. For purposes of
computing late payment interest penalties that may apply, the due date
for making interim payments on cost-reimbursement contracts for
services is 30 days after the date of receipt of a proper invoice.
(f) Content of invoices. A proper invoice must include the items
listed in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(8) of this section, except for
interim payments on cost-reimbursement contracts for services. An
interim payment request under a cost-reimbursement contract for
services constitutes a proper invoice for purposes of this subpart if
it includes all the information required by the contract. If the
invoice does not comply with these requirements, it will be returned
within 7 days after the date the designated billing office received the
invoice (3 days on contracts for meat, meat food products, or fish; 5
days on contracts for perishable agricultural commodities, dairy
products, edible fats or oils, and food products prepared from edible
fats or oils), with a statement of the reasons why it is not a proper
invoice. If such notice is not timely, then an adjusted due date for
the purpose of determining an interest penalty, if any, will be
established in accordance with 32.907-1(b):
* * * * *
(g) Authorization to pay. All invoice payments, with the exception
of interim payments on cost-reimbursement contracts for services, must
be supported by a receiving report or any other Government
documentation authorizing payment. * * *
* * * * *
5. Amend section 32.907-1 by adding paragraph (a)(5); and in
paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) by removing ``32.905(e)'' and adding
``32.905(f)'' in its place. The added text reads as follows:
32.907-1 Late invoice payment.
(a) * * *
(5) In the case of interim payments on cost-reimbursement contracts
for services, when payment is made more than 30 days after the
designated billing office receives a proper invoice.
* * * * *
6. Amend section 32.908 by adding paragraph (c)(4) to read as
follows:
32.908 Contract clauses.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(4) If the contract is a cost-reimbursement contract for services,
use the clause with its Alternate I.
PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
7. Amend section 52.232-25 by adding Alternate I to read as
follows:
52.232-25 Prompt Payment.
* * * * *
[[Page 53487]]
Alternate I (Oct 2001). As prescribed in 32.908(c)(4), add the
following paragraph (d) to the basic clause:
(d) Invoices for interim payments. For interim payments under
this cost-reimbursement contract for services--
(1) Paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4)(ii), (a)(4)(iii), and
(a)(5)(i) do not apply;
(2) For purposes of computing late payment interest penalties
that may apply, the due date for payment is the 30th day after the
designated billing office receives a proper invoice; and
(3) The Contractor shall submit invoices for interim payments in
accordance with paragraph (a) of FAR 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and
Payment. If the invoice does not comply with contract requirements,
it will be returned within 7 days after the date the designated
billing office received the invoice.
[FR Doc. 01-26298 Filed 10-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P
[Federal Register: October 22, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 204)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53487-53491]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc01-13]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Parts 2, 12, 13, 22, and 52
[FAC 2001-01; FAR Case 1998-614; Item IV]
RIN 9000-AI46
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Veterans' Employment
AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule
amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Sections
7 and 8 of the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998. Section 7
expands and improves veterans' employment emphasis under Federal
contracts. Section 8 amends the veterans' employment reporting
requirements. The rule also implements the Department of Labor's (DoL)
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) final rule
amending regulations on Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination
Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding Special
Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era, which clarifies DoL
implementation of the affirmative action provisions of the Vietnam Era
Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972, as amended.
DATES: Effective Date: December 21, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS
Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of
content, contact Ms. Linda Nelson, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
1900. Please cite FAC 2001-01, FAR case 1998-614.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
This final rule amends FAR 12.503, 13.005, 22.13, and the
associated clauses and provisions at FAR Part 52 to implement recent
statutory and regulatory changes relating to veterans' employment
opportunities and reporting. Paragraph (a) of Section 7 of the
Veterans' Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-339) amends
38 U.S.C.4212 in paragraph (a) to increase the threshold for covered
contracts from $10,000 to $25,000, and expands applicability beyond
``special disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era'' to
include other eligible veterans (i.e., any other veterans who served on
active duty during a war or in a campaign or an expedition for which a
campaign badge has been authorized).
Paragraph (b) of Section 7 amends 31 U.S.C. 1354 to specifically
prohibit contracting officers from obligating or expending appropriated
funds to enter into covered contracts with a contractor that does not
meet veterans' employment reporting requirements (VETS-100 Report). In
accordance with 41 U.S.C. 429 and 41 U.S.C. 430, the Councils have
listed this law as inapplicable to acquisitions not greater than the
simplified acquisition threshold and acquisitions of commercial items.
Paragraph (b) also requires the DoL to maintain a database on those
contractors that have submitted the required VETS-100 Reports for the
current reporting period. However, the database will not contain data
on whether those contractors that did not submit reports were required
to do so. The Councils have added a new provision by which the offeror
represents that, if subject to the reporting requirements of 38 U.S.C.
4212(d), it has not failed to submit the most recent required VETS-100
Reports.
This rule lists 31 U.S.C. 1354(a) as not applicable to commercial
item contracts and acquisitions not greater than the simplified
acquisition threshold of $100,000 pursuant to FASA at 41 U.S.C. 429 and
41 U.S.C. 430. Accordingly, the representation in the provision at
52.222-38, Compliance with Veterans' Employment Reporting Requirements,
is not applicable to commercial item acquisitions and acquisitions not
greater than the simplified acquisition threshold of $100,000.
Section 8 of Public Law 105-339 amends 38 U.S.C. 4212(d)(1) to
require reporting of the maximum number and the minimum number of
employees during the period covered by the report. This requirement has
been included in the clause at 52.222-37, which summarizes the DoL
reporting requirements.
In conformance with the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of
1998 and the OFCCP final rule, this final rule revises the clause at
52.222-35, adding definitions of ``special disabled veterans,''
``qualified special disabled veteran,'' ``other eligible veteran,'' and
``executive and top management,'' and changes the definition of
``veteran of the Vietnam Era.'' The clause requires contractors to list
all employment openings, except executive and top management, with the
local employment service office. Contractors may fulfill the listing
requirement by listing jobs electronically with America's Job Bank. The
requirements for posting employment notices have also changed.
DoD, GSA, and NASA published a proposed rule in the Federal
Register at 64 FR 67992, December 3, 1999. Four respondents submitted
comments on the proposed rule. The comments were considered in the
development of the final rule.
This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not
subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866,
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration certify that this
final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory
FlexibilityAct, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the rule implements the
Contracting Restrictions of the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act
of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-339) which will only affect offerors who were
required to submit reports but did not do so; and also implements the
OFCCP final rule (63 FR 59630), which DoL has certified will not have a
significant economic impact on
[[Page 53488]]
a substantial number of small businesses.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to
the FAR do not impose information collection requirements beyond those
imposed by the DoL, for which DoL obtained the required approval from
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB Control Numbers 1215-0072,
1215-0163, and 1293-0005) under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 2, 12, 13, 22, and 52
Government procurement.
Dated: October 12, 2001.
Al Matera,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 2, 12, 13, 22, and
52 as set forth below:
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 2, 12, 13, 22, and 52
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and42 U.S.C.
2473(c).
PART 2--DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS
2. In section 2.101, amend the definition ``United States'' by
redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as (4) and (5), respectively, and
by adding a new paragraph (3) to read as follows:
2.101 Definitions.
* * * * *
United States * * *
* * * * *
(3) For use in subpart 22.13, see the definition at 22.1301.
* * * * *
PART 12--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS
3. Amend section 12.503 in the introductory text of paragraph (a)
by removing ``executive'' and adding ``Executive'' in its place; and by
revising the section heading and adding paragraph (a)(5) to read as
follows:
12.503 Applicability of certain laws to Executive agency contracts for
the acquisition of commercial items.
(a) * * *
(5) 31 U.S.C. 1354(a), Limitation on use of appropriated funds for
contracts with entities not meeting veterans employment reporting
requirements (see 22.1302).
* * * * *
PART 13--SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES
4. Amend section 13.005 by adding paragraph (a)(10) to read as
follows:
13.005 Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 list of
inapplicable laws.
(a) * * *
(10) 31 U.S.C. 1354(a) (Limitation on use of appropriated funds for
contracts with entities not meeting veterans employment reporting
requirements).
* * * * *
PART 22--APPLICATION OF LABOR LAWS TO GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS
5. Revise Subpart 22.13 to read as follows:
Subpart 22.13--Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam
Era, and Other Eligible Veterans
Sec.
22.1300 Scope of subpart.
22.1301 Definition.
22.1302 Policy.
22.1303 Applicability.
22.1304 Procedures.
22.1305 Waivers.
22.1306 Department of Labor notices and reports.
22.1307 Collective bargaining agreements.
22.1308 Complaint procedures.
22.1309 Actions because of noncompliance.
22.1310 Solicitation provision and contract clauses.
22.1300 Scope of subpart.
This subpart prescribes policies and procedures for implementing
the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972 (38
U.S.C. 4211 and 4212) (the Act); Executive Order 11701, January 24,
1973 (3 CFR 1971-1975 Comp., p. 752); the regulations of the Secretary
of Labor (41 CFR Part 60-250 and Part 61-250); and the Veterans
Employment Opportunities Act of 1998, Public Law 105-339.
22.1301 Definition.
United States, as used in this subpart, means the States, the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin
Islands of the United States, and Wake Island.
22.1302 Policy.
(a) Contractors and subcontractors, when entering into contracts or
subcontracts subject to the Act, must--
(1) List all employment openings, with the appropriate local
employment service office except for--
(i) Executive and top management positions;
(ii) Positions to be filled from within the contractor's
organization; and
(iii) Positions lasting three days or less.
(2) Take affirmative action to employ, and advance in employment,
qualified special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and
other eligible veterans without discrimination based on their
disability or veteran's status.
(b) Except for contracts for commercial items or contracts that do
not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers
must not obligate or expend funds appropriated for the agency for a
fiscal year to enter into a contract for the procurement of personal
property and nonpersonal services (including construction) with a
contractor that has not submitted a required annual Form VETS-100,
Federal Contractor Veterans' Employment Report (VETS-100 Report), with
respect to the preceding fiscal year if the contractor was subject to
the reporting requirements of 38 U.S.C. 4212(d) for that fiscal year.
22.1303 Applicability.
(a) The Act applies to all contracts and subcontracts for personal
property and nonpersonal services (including construction) of $25,000
or more except as waived by the Secretary of Labor.
(b) The requirements of the clause at 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity
for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other
Eligible Veterans, in any contract with a State or local government (or
any agency, instrumentality, or subdivision) do not apply to any
agency, instrumentality, or subdivision of that government that does
not participate in work on or under the contract.
(c) The Act requires submission of the VETS-100 Report in all cases
where the contractor or subcontractor has received an award of $25,000
or more, except for awards to State and local governments, and foreign
organizations where the workers are recruited outside of the United
States.
22.1304 Procedures.
To verify if a proposed contractor is current with its submission
of the VETS-100 Report, the contracting officer may--
(a) Query the Department of Labor's VETS-100 Database via the
Internet at http://www.vets100.cudenver.edu/vets100search.htm using the
validation code ``vets'' to proceed with the search in the database; or
(b) Contact the VETS-100 Reporting Systems via e-mail at
verify@vets100.com for confirmation, if the proposed contractor
represents that
[[Page 53489]]
it has submitted the VETS-100 Report and is not listed in the database.
22.1305 Waivers.
(a) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Federal Contract Compliance
Programs, Department of Labor (Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor),
may waive any or all of the terms of the clause at 52.222-35, Equal
Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era,
and Other Eligible Veterans for--
(1) Any contract if a waiver is in the national interest; or
(2) Groups or categories of contracts if a waiver is in the
national interest and it is--
(i) Impracticable to act on each request individually; and
(ii) Determined that the waiver will substantially contribute to
convenience in administering the Act.
(b) The head of the agency may waive any requirement in this
subpart when it is determined that the contract is essential to the
national security, and that its award without complying with such
requirements is necessary to the national security. Upon making such a
determination, the head of the agency must notify the Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Labor in writing within 30 days.
(c) The contracting officer must submit requests for waivers in
accordance with agency procedures.
(d) The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor may withdraw an
approved waiver for a specific contract or group of contracts to be
awarded, when in the Deputy's judgment such action is necessary to
achieve the purposes of the Act. The withdrawal does not apply to
awarded contracts. For procurements entered into by sealed bidding,
such withdrawal does not apply unless the withdrawal is made more than
10 calendar days before the date set for the opening of bids.
22.1306 Department of Labor notices and reports.
(a) The contracting officer must furnish to the contractor
appropriate notices for posting when they are prescribed by the Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Labor (see http://www2.dol.gov/dol/esa/public/
ofcp__org.htm).
(b) The Act requires contractors and subcontractors to submit a
report at least annually to the Secretary of Labor regarding employment
of special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and other
eligible veterans unless all of the terms of the clause at 52.222-35,
Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the
Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans, have been waived (see
22.1305). The contractor and subcontractor must use Form VETS-100,
Federal Contractor Veterans'' Employment Report, to submit the required
reports.
22.1307 Collective bargaining agreements.
If performance under the clause at 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for
Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other
Eligible Veterans, may necessitate a revision of a collective
bargaining agreement, the contracting officer must advise the affected
labor unions that the Department of Labor will give them appropriate
opportunity to present their views. However, neither the contracting
officer nor any representative of the contracting officer may discuss
with the contractor or any labor representative any aspect of the
collective bargaining agreement.
22.1308 Complaint procedures.
Following agency procedures, the contracting office must forward
any complaints received about the administration of the Act to the
Veterans'' Employment and Training Service of the Department of Labor,
or through the local Veterans' Employment Representative or designee,
at the local State employment office. The Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Labor is responsible for investigating complaints.
22.1309 Actions because of noncompliance.
The contracting officer must take necessary action as soon as
possible upon notification by the appropriate agency official to
implement any sanctions imposed on a contractor by the Department of
Labor for violations of the clause at 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for
Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other
Eligible Veterans. These sanctions (see 41 CFR 60-250.66) may include--
(a) Withholding payments;
(b) Termination or suspension of the contract; or
(c) Debarment of the contractor.
22.1310 Solicitation provision and contract clauses.
(a)(1) Insert the clause at 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for
Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other
Eligible Veterans, in solicitations and contracts if the expected value
is $25,000 or more, except when--
(i) Work is performed outside the United States by employees
recruited outside the United States; or
(ii) The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor has waived, in
accordance with 22.1305(a) or the head of the agency has waived, in
accordance with 22.1305(b) all of the terms of the clause.
(2) If the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor or the head of the
agency waives one or more (but not all) of the terms of the clause, use
the basic clause with its Alternate I.
(b) Insert the clause at 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special
Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible
Veterans, in solicitations and contracts containing the clause at
52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of
the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans.
(c) Insert the provision at 52.222-38, Compliance with Veterans'
Employment Reporting Requirements, in solicitations when it is
anticipated the contract award will exceed the simplified acquisition
threshold and the contract is not for acquisition of commercial items.
PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
6. Amend section 52.212-5 by revising the date of the clause; and
revising paragraphs (b)(13), (b)(15), and (e)(2) to read as follows:
52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes
or Executive Orders--Commercial Items.
* * * * *
CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR
EXECUTIVE ORDERS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (DEC 2001)
* * * * *
(b) * * *
____________(13) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special
Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible
Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212).
* * * * *
____________(15) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special
Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible
Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212).
* * * * *
(e) * * *
(2) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans,
Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (38 U.S.C.
4212);
7. Amend section 52.213-4 by revising the date of the clause; by
redesignating (b)(1)(ii) through (b)(1)(xii) as (b)(1)(iii) through
(b)(1)(xiii), and adding a new (b)(1)(ii); and by revising newly
redesignated paragraphs (b)(1)(iv) and (b)(1)(vi) to read as follows:
[[Page 53490]]
52.213-4 Terms and Conditions--Simplified Acquisitions (Other Than
Commercial Items).
* * * * *
TERMS AND CONDITIONS--SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS (OTHER THAN COMMERCIAL
ITEMS) (DEC 2001)
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (FEB 1999)
(E.O. 11246) (Applies to contracts over $10,000).
* * * * *
(iv) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans,
Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (DEC 2001)
(38 U.S.C. 4212) (Applies to contracts of $25,000 or more).
* * * * *
(vi) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans,
Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (DEC 2001)
(38 U.S.C. 4212) (Applies to contracts of $25,000 or more).
8. Revise the section heading and text of 52.222-35 to read as
follows:
52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of
the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans.
As prescribed in 22.1310(a)(1), insert the following clause:
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR SPECIAL DISABLED VETERANS, VETERANS OF THE
VIETNAM ERA, AND OTHER ELIGIBLE VETERANS (DEC 2001)
(a) Definitions. As used in this clause--
All employment openings means all positions except executive and
top management, those positions that will be filled from within the
Contractor's organization, and positions lasting 3 days or less.
This term includes full-time employment, temporary employment of
more than 3 days duration, and part-time employment.
Executive and top management means any employee--
(1) Whose primary duty consists of the management of the
enterprise in which the individual is employed or of a customarily
recognized department or subdivision thereof;
(2) Who customarily and regularly directs the work of two or
more other employees;
(3) Who has the authority to hire or fire other employees or
whose suggestions and recommendations as to the hiring or firing and
as to the advancement and promotion or any other change of status of
other employees will be given particular weight;
(4) Who customarily and regularly exercises discretionary
powers; and
(5) Who does not devote more than 20 percent or, in the case of
an employee of a retail or service establishment, who does not
devote more than 40 percent of total hours of work in the work week
to activities that are not directly and closely related to the
performance of the work described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of
this definition. This paragraph (5) does not apply in the case of an
employee who is in sole charge of an establishment or a physically
separated branch establishment, or who owns at least a 20 percent
interest in the enterprise in which the individual is employed.
Other eligible veteran means any other veteran who served on
active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a
campaign badge has been authorized.
Positions that will be filled from within the Contractor's
organization means employment openings for which the Contractor will
give no consideration to persons outside the Contractor's
organization (including any affiliates, subsidiaries, and parent
companies) and includes any openings the Contractor proposes to fill
from regularly established ``recall'' lists. The exception does not
apply to a particular opening once an employer decides to consider
applicants outside of its organization.
Qualified special disabled veteran means a special disabled
veteran who satisfies the requisite skill, experience, education,
and other job-related requirements of the employment position such
veteran holds or desires, and who, with or without reasonable
accommodation, can perform the essential functions of such position.
Special disabled veteran means--
(1) A veteran who is entitled to compensation (or who but for
the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to
compensation) under laws administered by the Department of Veterans
Affairs for a disability--
(i) Rated at 30 percent or more; or
(ii) Rated at 10 or 20 percent in the case of a veteran who has
been determined under 38 U.S.C. 3106 to have a serious employment
handicap (i.e., a significant impairment of the veteran's ability to
prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with the
veteran's abilities, aptitudes, and interests); or
(2) A person who was discharged or released from active duty
because of a service-connected disability.
Veteran of the Vietnam era means a person who--
(1) Served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days and
was discharged or released from active duty with other than a
dishonorable discharge, if any part of such active duty occurred--
(i) In the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961, and
May 7, 1975; or
(ii) Between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975, in all other
cases; or
(2) Was discharged or released from active duty for a service-
connected disability if any part of the active duty was performed--
(i) In the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961, and
May 7, 1975; or
(ii) Between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975, in all other
cases.
(b) General. (1) The Contractor shall not discriminate against
the individual because the individual is a special disabled veteran,
a veteran of the Vietnam era, or other eligible veteran, regarding
any position for which the employee or applicant for employment is
qualified. The Contractor shall take affirmative action to employ,
advance in employment, and otherwise treat qualified special
disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and other eligible
veterans without discrimination based upon their disability or
veterans' status in all employment practices such as--
(i) Recruitment, advertising, and job application procedures;
(ii) Hiring, upgrading, promotion, award of tenure, demotion,
transfer, layoff, termination, right of return from layoff and
rehiring;
(iii) Rate of pay or any other form of compensation and changes
in compensation;
(iv) Job assignments, job classifications, organizational
structures, position descriptions, lines of progression, and
seniority lists;
(v) Leaves of absence, sick leave, or any other leave;
(vi) Fringe benefits available by virtue of employment, whether
or not administered by the Contractor;
(vii) Selection and financial support for training, including
apprenticeship, and on-the-job training under 38 U.S.C. 3687,
professional meetings, conferences, and other related activities,
and selection for leaves of absence to pursue training;
(viii) Activities sponsored by the Contractor including social
or recreational programs; and
(ix) Any other term, condition, or privilege of employment.
(2) The Contractor shall comply with the rules, regulations, and
relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor issued under the Vietnam
Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972 (the Act), as
amended (38 U.S.C. 4211 and 4212).
(c) Listing openings. (1) The Contractor shall immediately list
all employment openings that exist at the time of the execution of
this contract and those which occur during the performance of this
contract, including those not generated by this contract, and
including those occurring at an establishment of the Contractor
other than the one where the contract is being performed, but
excluding those of independently operated corporate affiliates, at
an appropriate local public employment service office of the State
wherein the opening occurs. Listing employment openings with the
U.S. Department of Labor's America's Job Bank shall satisfy the
requirement to list jobs with the local employment service office.
(2) The Contractor shall make the listing of employment openings
with the local employment service office at least concurrently with
using any other recruitment source or effort and shall involve the
normal obligations of placing a bona fide job order, including
accepting referrals of veterans and nonveterans. This listing of
employment openings does not require hiring any particular job
applicant or hiring from any particular group of job applicants and
is not intended to relieve the Contractor from any requirements of
Executive orders or regulations concerning nondiscrimination in
employment.
(3) Whenever the Contractor becomes contractually bound to the
listing terms of this clause, it shall advise the State public
employment agency in each State where it
[[Page 53491]]
has establishments of the name and location of each hiring location
in the State. As long as the Contractor is contractually bound to
these terms and has so advised the State agency, it need not advise
the State agency of subsequent contracts. The Contractor may advise
the State agency when it is no longer bound by this contract clause.
(d) Applicability. This clause does not apply to the listing of
employment openings that occur and are filled outside the 50 States,
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam,
the Virgin Islands of the United States, and Wake Island.
(e) Postings. (1) The Contractor shall post employment notices
in conspicuous places that are available to employees and applicants
for employment.
(2) The employment notices shall--
(i) State the rights of applicants and employees as well as the
Contractor's obligation under the law to take affirmative action to
employ and advance in employment qualified employees and applicants
who are special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and
other eligible veterans; and
(ii) Be in a form prescribed by the Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Department of Labor
(Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor), and provided by or through
the Contracting Officer.
(3) The Contractor shall ensure that applicants or employees who
are special disabled veterans are informed of the contents of the
notice (e.g., the Contractor may have the notice read to a visually
disabled veteran, or may lower the posted notice so that it can be
read by a person in a wheelchair).
(4) The Contractor shall notify each labor union or
representative of workers with which it has a collective bargaining
agreement, or other contract understanding, that the Contractor is
bound by the terms of the Act and is committed to take affirmative
action to employ, and advance in employment, qualified special
disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and other eligible
veterans.
(f) Noncompliance. If the Contractor does not comply with the
requirements of this clause, the Government may take appropriate
actions under the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the
Secretary of Labor issued pursuant to the Act.
(g) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall insert the terms of this
clause in all subcontracts or purchase orders of $25,000 or more
unless exempted by rules, regulations, or orders of the Secretary of
Labor. The Contractor shall act as specified by the Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Labor to enforce the terms, including action for
noncompliance.
(End of clause)
Alternate I (Dec 2001). As prescribed in 22.1310(a)(2), add the
following as a preamble to the clause:
Notice: The following term(s) of this clause are waived for this
contract:________________[List term(s)].
9. Revise the section heading and text of 52.222-37 to read as
follows:
52.222-37 Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of
the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans.
As prescribed in 22.1310(b), insert the following clause:
EMPLOYMENT REPORTS ON SPECIAL DISABLED VETERANS, VETERANS OF THE
VIETNAM ERA, AND OTHER ELIGIBLE VETERANS (DEC 2001)
(a) Unless the Contractor is a State or local government agency,
the Contractor shall report at least annually, as required by the
Secretary of Labor, on--
(1) The number of special disabled veterans, the number of
veterans of the Vietnam era, and other eligible veterans in the
workforce of the Contractor by job category and hiring location; and
(2) The total number of new employees hired during the period
covered by the report, and of the total, the number of special
disabled veterans, the number of veterans of the Vietnam era, and
the number of other eligible veterans; and
(3) The maximum number and the minimum number of employees of
the Contractor during the period covered by the report.
(b) The Contractor shall report the above items by completing
the Form VETS-100, entitled ``Federal Contractor Veterans''
Employment Report (VETS-100 Report)''.
(c) The Contractor shall submit VETS-100 Reports no later than
September 30 of each year beginning September 30, 1988.
(d) The employment activity report required by paragraph (a)(2)
of this clause shall reflect total hires during the most recent 12-
month period as of the ending date selected for the employment
profile report required by paragraph (a)(1) of this clause.
Contractors may select an ending date--
(1) As of the end of any pay period between July 1 and August 31
of the year the report is due; or
(2) As of December 31, if the Contractor has prior written
approval from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to do so
for purposes of submitting the Employer Information Report EEO-1
(Standard Form 100).
(e) The Contractor shall base the count of veterans reported
according to paragraph (a) of this clause on voluntary disclosure.
Each Contractor subject to the reporting requirements at 38 U.S.C.
4212 shall invite all special disabled veterans, veterans of the
Vietnam era, and other eligible veterans who wish to benefit under
the affirmative action program at 38 U.S.C. 4212 to identify
themselves to the Contractor. The invitation shall state that--
(1) The information is voluntarily provided;
(2) The information will be kept confidential;
(3) Disclosure or refusal to provide the information will not
subject the applicant or employee to any adverse treatment; and
(4) The information will be used only in accordance with the
regulations promulgated under 38 U.S.C. 4212.
(f) The Contractor shall insert the terms of this clause in all
subcontracts or purchase orders of $25,000 or more unless exempted
by rules, regulations, or orders of the Secretary of Labor.
(End of clause)
10. Add section 52.222-38 to read as follows:
52.222-38 Compliance with Veterans' Employment Reporting Requirements.
As prescribed in 22.1310(c), insert the following provision:
COMPLIANCE WITH VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (DEC 2001)
By submission of its offer, the offeror represents that, if it
is subject to the reporting requirements of 38 U.S.C. 4212(d) (i.e.,
if it has any contract containing Federal Acquisition Regulation
clause 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans,
Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans), it has
submitted the most recent VETS-100 Report required by that clause.
(End of provision)
11. Amend section 52.244-6 by revising the date of the clause, the
introductory text of paragraph (c)(1), and paragraph(c)(1)(iii) to read
as follows:
52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Items.
* * * * *
SUBCONTRACTS FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS (DEC 2001)
* * * * *
(c)(1) The Contractor shall insert the following clauses in
subcontracts for commercial items:
* * * * *
(iii) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled
Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans
(Dec 2001) (38 U.S.C. 4212(a));
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 01-26299 Filed 10-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P
[Federal Register: October 22, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 204)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53492-53500]
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[DOCID:fr22oc01-14]
[[Page 53492]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Parts 19, 52, and 53
[FAC 2001-01; FAR Case 2000-302; Item V]
RIN 9000-AI93
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Veterans Entrepreneurship and
Small Business Development Act of 1999
AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on an interim
rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement
section 803 of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000, part of
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001. Section 803 amended section
8(d) of the Small Business Act by adding an additional subcontracting
plan goal requirement for service-disabled veteran-owned small business
concerns.
DATES: Effective Date: October 22, 2001.
Comment Date: Interested parties should submit comments to the FAR
Secretariat at the address shown below on or before December 21, 2001
to be considered in the formulation of a final rule.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to: General Services Administration,
FAR Secretariat (MVP), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4035, Attn: Ms. Laurie
Duarte, Washington, DC 20405.
Submit electronic comments via the Internet to: farcase.2000--
302@gsa.gov
Please submit comments only and cite FAC 2001-01, FAR case 2000-
302, in all correspondence related to this case.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS
Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of
content, contact Ms. Rhonda Cundiff at (202) 501-0044. Please cite FAR
case 2000-302.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
This interim rule amends the FAR to implement section 803 of the
Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000, part of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2001 (Pub. L. 106-554).
The Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of
1999 (Pub. L. 106-50) established new assistance programs for veterans
and service-disabled veterans who own and operate small businesses.
Specifically, the Act--
Defines the terms ``small business concern owned and
controlled by veterans'' and ``small business concern owned and
controlled by service-disabled veterans'';
Establishes that veteran-owned and service-disabled
veteran-owned small businesses be afforded maximum practical
opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and
subcontracts awarded by any Federal agency;
Establishes a requirement to include a goal for veteran-
owned small businesses in subcontracting plans underFAR 52.219-9;
Establishes a 3 percent Governmentwide goal (based on the
total value of all prime contract and subcontract awards) for
participation by service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses; and
Adds data collection requirements for prime and
subcontract awards to veteran-owned small businesses and service
disabled veteran-owned small business concerns.
DoD, GSA, and NASA published an interim FAR rule in the Federal
Register at 65 FR 60542, October 11, 2000, to implement this statute.
Twenty-nine respondents submitted comments in response to the interim
rule. The Councils considered all comments and made no changes as a
result. Two public comments merit noting. The first recommended that
the FAR specifically reference the statutory 3 percent goal for
service-disabled veteran-owned small business. The Councils have not
adopted this recommendation. The FAR does not specify the statutory
Governmentwide goals for any small business category because they have
no regulatory purpose for agencies. Statutory goals for small
businesses are established on a Governmentwide basis. Within these
Governmentwide goals, SBA negotiates separate annual goals for each
small business category with each agency. The individual agency goals
attempt to reflect the agency mission and its contracting requirements,
and these individual agency goals may be higher or lower than the
Governmentwide goal. SBA then tracks cumulative agency achievements
against the Governmentwide goal. Accordingly, specifying the 3 percent
service-disabled veteran-owned small business goals in the FAR is
inappropriate in that only the goal negotiated with SBA is relevant to
that agency. The second public comment recommended that the FAR
establish a requirement for a separate subcontracting plan goal for
service-disabled veteran-owned small business. The Councils concur in
this recommendation, but could not make this change in the first
interim rule. That rule was based solely on the Veterans
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999. Section
501(c) of the Act established a subcontracting plan goal requirement
for veteran-owned small businesses, but not for service-disabled
veteran-owned small businesses. The interim rule accurately reflected
this statutory change.
However, section 803 of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of
2000, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001 (Pub. L. 106-
554) was subsequently enacted on December 21, 2000. Section 803 amended
section 8(d) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C 637(d)) by adding an
additional subcontracting plan goal requirement for service-disabled
veteran-owned small business concerns. This interim rule adds the new
statutory subcontracting plan goal requirement for service-disabled
veteran-owned small business concerns.
Public comments are specifically sought on the service-disabled
veteran-owned small business subcontracting plan goal changes. Since
public comments received in response to the first interim rule have
already been addressed, only comments on the issue unique to the second
interim rule need to be submitted.
This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not
subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866,
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This is not a
major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The changes may have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the rule adds a new
statutory subcontracting plan goal requirement for service-disabled
veteran-owned small business concerns. An Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) has been prepared and is summarized as
follows:
This interim rule amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation to
implement section 803 of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of
2000, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001 (Pub. L.
106-554).
[[Page 53493]]
Section 803 supplements the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small
Business Development Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106-50) by adding a
separate subcontracting plan goal requirement for service-disabled
veteran-owned small business concerns. There are approximately 4 to
5.5 million small businesses owned and controlled by veterans and
100,000 to 300,000 small businesses owned and controlled by service-
disabled veterans. This rule does not duplicate, overlap, or
conflict with other relevant Federal regulations. There are no
alternatives to the interim rule that would accomplish the stated
objectives.
The FAR Secretariat has submitted a copy of the IRFA to the Chief
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Interested
parties may obtain a copy from the FAR Secretariat. The Councils will
consider comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR Parts
19, 52, and 53 in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must
submit such comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C 601, et seq.
(FAC 2001-01, FAR case 2000--302), in correspondence.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act (Pub. L. 104-13) applies; however, this
interim rule only requires contractors to report, as a separate item,
information already collected and reported under OMB Control Numbers
9000-0006 and 9000-0007. The impact on the information collection hours
of these OMB clearances is so small as to be within the estimating
parameters of these clearances. Therefore, the clearances have not been
changed.
D. Determination to Issue an Interim Rule
A determination has been made under 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 in order to implement section 803 of the Small Business
Reauthorization Act of 2000, part of the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2001 (Pub. L. 106-554). However, pursuant to Pub. L. 98-577 and
FAR 1.501, the Councils will consider public comments received in
response to this interim rule in formulating the final rule.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR parts 19, 52, and 53
Government procurement.
Dated: October 12, 2001.
Al Matera,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 19, 52, and 53 as
set forth below:
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 19, 52, and 53 continues
to read as follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42
U.S.C. 2473(c).
PART 19--SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS
19.704 and 19.705 [Amended]
2. Amend sections 19.704 and 19.705 as follows:
a. Add ``service-disabled veteran-owned small business,'' after the
phrase ``veteran-owned small business,'' in the following sections:
19.704(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(6), (a)(8), and (a)(11)
19.705-4(c) (twice)
19.705-4(d)(1) and (d)(5);
and
b. Remove ``(including service-disabled veteran-owned small
business)'' and add ``, service-disabled veteran-owned small business''
in the following sections:
19.705-2(d)
19.705-7(a)
19.705-7(d) (twice)
19.706(b)
19.706(c)
19.708(c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3).
PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
3. Amend section 52.219-9 as follows:
a. Revise the date of the clause;
b. Add ``service-disabled veteran-owned small business,'' after the
phrase ``veteran-owned small business,'' in the following sections:
52.219-9(c) (twice)
52.219-9(d)(1), (d)(8), (d)(11), (d)(11)(i), and (d)(11)(ii)
52.219-9(e)(1) (twice), (e)(2) and (e)(3)
Alternate I(c) (twice)
Alternate II(c) (twice);
and
c. Redesignate paragraphs (d)(2)(iv) through (d)(2)(vi) as
(d)(2)(v) through (d)(2)(vii), respectively; and add a new paragraph
(d)(2)(iv);
d. Redesignate paragraphs (d)(3)(iii) through (d)(3)(v) as
(d)(3)(iv) through (d)(3)(vi), respectively; and add a new paragraph
(d)(3)(iii);
e. In the second sentence of paragraph (d)(5), add ``service-
disabled veteran-owned small,'' after the phrase ``veteran-owned
small,'';
f. Redesignate paragraphs (d)(6)(iii) through (d)(6)(v) as
(d)(6)(iv) through (d)(6)(vi), respectively; and add a new paragraph
(d)(6)(iii);
g. In the second sentence of paragraph (d)(10)(iii), add ``HUBZone
small business concerns,'' after the phrase ``service-disabled veteran-
owned small business concerns,'';
h. Redesignate paragraphs (d)(11)(iii)(C) through (d)(11)(iii)(F)
as (d)(11)(iii)(D) through (d)(11)(iii)(G), respectively; and add a new
paragraph (d)(11)(iii)(C); and
i. In Alternates I and II of the clause, remove ``(Oct 2000)'' and
add ``(Oct 2001)'' in their places.
The revised and added text reads as follows:
52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan.
* * * * *
SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN (OCT 2001)
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(2) * * *
(iv) Total dollars planned to be subcontracted to service-
disabled veteran-owned small business;
* * * * *
(3) * * *
(iii) Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns;
* * * * *
(6) * * *
(iii) Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns;
* * * * *
(11) * * *
(iii) * * *
(C) Whether service-disabled veteran-owned small business
concerns were solicited and, if not, why not;
* * * * *
4. In section 52.219-10, revise the date of the clause; and in
paragraph (a) and the first sentence of paragraph (b) of the clause,
remove ``(including service-disabled veteran-owned small business)''
and add ``, service-disabled veteran-owned small business'' in their
places. The revised text reads as follows:
52.219-10 Incentive Subcontracting Program.
* * * * *
INCENTIVE SUBCONTRACTING PROGRAM (OCT 2001)
* * * * *
PART 53--FORMS
53.219 [Amended]
5. Amend section 53.219 in paragraphs (a) and (b) by removing
[[Page 53494]]
``(Rev. 10/00)'' and adding ``(Rev. 10/01)'' in their places.
6. Revise sections 53.301-294 and 53.301-295 to read as follows:
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P
[[Page 53495]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR22OC01.001
[[Page 53496]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR22OC01.002
[[Page 53497]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR22OC01.003
[[Page 53498]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR22OC01.004
[[Page 53499]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR22OC01.005
[[Page 53500]]
[FR Doc. 01-26300 Filed 10-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-C
[Federal Register: October 22, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 204)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53500]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc01-15]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Part 19
[FAC 2001-01, FAR Case 2001-001; Item VI]
RIN 9000-AJ16
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Very Small Business Pilot Program
AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule
amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) by extending, for
three additional years, the Very Small Business Pilot Program until
September 30, 2003. This rule implements section 503(c) of the Small
Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (part of Public Law 106-554).
DATES: Effective Date: December 21, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS
Building, Washington, DC, 20405, at (202) 501-4755 for information
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of
content, contact Ms. Rhonda Cundiff, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
0044. Please cite FAC 2001-01, FAR case 2001-001
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
This final rule amends paragraph (c) of section 19.901 to implement
section 503(c) of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (part
of Public Law 106-554). Section 503(c) amends Section 304 of Public Law
103-403 (15 U.S.C. 644 note) to extend the pilot program through
September 30, 2003. The purpose of the program is to improve access to
Government contract opportunities for concerns that are substantially
below SBA's size standards by reserving certain acquisitions for
competition among such concerns. This is not a significant regulatory
action and, therefore, was not subject to review under Section 6(b) of
Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September
30, 1993. This is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The final rule does not constitute a significant revision within
the meaning of FAR 1.501 and Public Law 98-577, and publication for
public comment is not required. However, the Councils will consider
comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR Part in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such
comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 2001-01,
FAR case 2001-001), in correspondence.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the rule does
not impose any new information collection requirements that require
Office of Management and Budget approval under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 19
Government Procurement.
Dated: October 12, 2001.
Al Matera,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
Therefore, DoD, GSA and NASA amend 48 CFR part 19 as set forth
below:
PART 19--VERY SMALL BUSINESS PILOT PROGRAM
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 19 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42
U.S.C. 2473(c).
19.901 [Amended]
2. Amend section 19.901 in the first sentence of paragraph (c) by
removing ``2000'' and adding ``2003'' in its place.
[FR Doc. 01-26301 Filed 10-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P
[Federal Register: October 22, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 204)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53500-53501]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc01-16]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Chapter 1
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Small Entity Compliance Guide
AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Small Entity Compliance Guide.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document is issued under the joint authority of the
Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services and the
Administrator for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with
Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
of 1996 (Public Law 104-121). It consists of a summary of rules
appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2001-01 which amend the
FAR. An asterisk (*) next to a rule indicates that a regulatory
flexibility analysis has been prepared in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 604.
Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules
by referring to FAC 2001-01 which precedes this document. These
documents are also available via the Internet at http://www.arnet.gov/
far.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Duarte, FAR Secretariat, (202)
501-4225. For clarification of content, contact the analyst whose name
appears in the table below.
List of Rules in FAC 2001-01
---------------------------------------------------------------
Item Subject FAR case Analyst
---------------------------------------------------------------
I..... *Application of the Davis-Bacon 1997-613 Nelson.
Act to Construction Contracts
With Options to Extend the
Term of the Contract.
II... Acquisition of Commercial Items 2000-303 Moss.
III.. Prompt Payment Under Cost- 2000-308 Olson.
Reimbursement Contracts for
Services (Interim).
IV. . Veterans' Employment........... 1998-614 Nelson.
V... *Veterans Entrepreneurship and 2000-302 Cundiff.
Small Business Development Act
of 1999 (Interim).
[[Page 53501]]
VI... Very Small Business Pilot 2001-001 Cundiff
Program.
----------------------------------------
Item I--Application of the Davis-Bacon Act to Construction
Contracts With Options To Extend the Term of the Contract
[FAR Case 1997-613]
This final rule implements the Department of Labor's requirement to
incorporate a current Davis-Bacon Act wage determination at the
exercise of each option to extend the term of a contract for
construction.
Item II--Acquisition of Commercial Items
[FAR Case 2000-303]
This final rule amends the FAR to clarify the definition of
``commercial item.'' The revised language will help contracting
officers make commerciality determinations. The rule also alerts
contracting officers to be aware of customary commercial terms and
conditions that may affect the contract price when pricing commercial
items. The rule also clarifies that subpart 46.8, Contractor Liability
for Loss of or Damage to Property of the Government, does not apply to
acquisitions of commercial items. Contracting officers should use
standard commercial practices instead of the policies in subpart 46.8.
Finally, the rule amends the clause at 52.212-4, Limitation of
liability, to conform it to standard commercial practice.
Item III--Prompt Payment Under Cost-Reimbursement Contracts for
Services
[FAR Case 2000-308]
This interim rule implements changes in the Office of Management
and Budget's (OMB) Prompt Payment Act regulations at 5 CFR 1315 that
implemented Section 1010 of the NationalDefense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2001. Those changes were published by OMB as an interim
final rule and became effective on December 15, 2000 (65 FR 78403) and
were applicable to all covered contracts awarded on or after December
15, 2000. Section 1010 of the National DefenseAuthorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2001 requires agencies to pay an interest penalty, in
accordance with regulations issued, whenever an interim payment under a
cost-reimbursement contract for services is paid more than 30 days
after the agency receives a proper invoice from a contractor. The Act
does not permit payment of late payment penalty interest for any period
prior to December 15, 2000.
This FAR amendment eliminates the prior policy and contract clause
prohibitions on payment of late payment penalty interest for late
interim finance payments under cost-reimbursement contracts for
services. It adds new policy and contract clause coverage to provide
for those penalty payments.
Item IV--Veterans' Employment
[FAR Case 1998-614]
This final rule amends the FAR to implement statutory and
regulatory changes relating to veterans' employment opportunities and
reporting. Most significantly for contracting officers, the rule amends
the FAR to prohibit contracting officers from obligating or expending
appropriated funds to enter into a contract with a contractor that has
not met its veterans' employment reporting requirements (VETS--100
Report). This prohibition does not apply to contracts for commercial
items or contracts valued at or below the simplified acquisition
threshold. The rule adds a new solicitation provision that requires
each offeror to represent, by submission of its offer, that it is in
compliance with the VETS--100 reporting requirements. The contracting
officer may verify compliance by checking with the Department of Labor.
Item V--Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
Act of 1999
[FAR Case 2000-302]
This interim rule amends the FAR to implement section 803 of the
Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000, part of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2001 (Pub. L. 106-554) that was enacted on December
21, 2000.
This rule requires a contractor that is required to submit a
subcontracting plan to report as a separate subcontracting plan goal
requirement, subcontracting activity pertaining to service-disabled
veteran-owned small business concerns. The rule also changes the
Standard Form (SF) 294, ``Subcontracting Report for Individual
Contracts,'' and the SF 295, ``Summary Subcontract Report,'' to capture
this category of information for the contracting officer.
Item VI--Very Small Business Pilot Program
[FAR Case 2001-001]
This final rule amends FAR Subpart 19.9 to implement Section 503(c)
of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (part of Public Law
106-554). Section 503(c) extends, for three additional years, the Very
Small Business Pilot Program until September 30, 2003. The purpose of
the program is to improve access to Government contract opportunities
for concerns that are substantially below SBA's size standards by
reserving certain acquisitions for competition among such concerns.
Dated: October 12, 2001.
Al Matera,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 01-26302 Filed 10-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P