Acquisition regulations: Contracting by negotiation,

[Federal Register: January 23, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 14)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 3413-3414]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr23ja06-5]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

48 CFR Part 215

[DFARS Case 2003-D077]

Defense Acquisition Regulations System; Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Contracting by Negotiation

AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update text pertaining to contracting by negotiation. This rule is a result of a transformation initiative undertaken by DoD to dramatically change the purpose and content of the DFARS.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 23, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Robin Schulze, Defense Acquisition Regulations System, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DARS), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telephone (703) 602-0326; facsimile (703) 602-0350. Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D077.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

   DFARS Transformation is a major DoD initiative to dramatically change the purpose and content of the DFARS. The objective is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the acquisition process, while allowing the acquisition workforce the flexibility to innovate. The transformed DFARS will contain only requirements of law, DoD-wide policies, delegations of FAR authorities, deviations from FAR requirements, and policies/procedures that have a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of DoD or a significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors. Additional information on the DFARS Transformation initiative is available at http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars/transformation/index.htm.

   This final rule is a result of the DFARS Transformation initiative. The rule--

   Deletes unnecessary text at DFARS 215.000, 215.204-1, 215.304(c)(ii), and 215.305(b).

   Deletes text at DFARS 215.303 and 215.304 containing procedures for preparation of source selection plans and examples of source selection evaluation factors. This text has been relocated to the new DFARS companion resource, Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI), available at http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/pgi.

   Updates references to the clauses at FAR 52.219-8 and 52.219-9, to reflect the current clause titles.

   DoD published a proposed rule at 70 FR 14624 on March 23, 2005. DoD received no comments on the proposed rule. Therefore, DoD has adopted the proposed rule as a final rule. The final rule contains a paragraph 215.304(c)(ii) that was not included in the proposed rule, as this paragraph was added to the DFARS (as 215.304(c)(iii)) in the interim rule published at 70 FR 29643 on May 24, 2005.

   This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.

2. Regulatory Flexibility Act

   DoD certifies that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact

   [[Page 3414]]

   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 updates and streamlines DFARS text, but makes no significant change to DoD contracting policy.

3. Paperwork Reduction Act

   The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply, because the rule does not impose any 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 Part 215

   Government procurement.

   Michele P. Peterson, Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

   0 Therefore, 48 CFR Part 215 is amended as follows:

   PART 215--CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION

   0 1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 215 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.

   215.000 [Removed]

   0 2. Section 215.000 is removed.

   Subpart 215.2 [Removed]

   0 3. Subpart 215.2 is removed.

   0 4. Sections 215.303 through 215.305 are revised to read as follows:

   215.303 Responsibilities.

   (b)(2) For high-dollar value and other acquisitions, as prescribed by agency procedures, the source selection authority shall approve a source selection plan before the solicitation is issued. Follow the procedures at PGI 215.303(b)(2) for preparation of the source selection plan.

   215.304 Evaluation factors and significant subfactors.

   (c)(i) In acquisitions that require use of the clause at FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, other than those based on the lowest price technically acceptable source selection process (see FAR 15.101-2), the extent of participation of small businesses and historically black colleges or universities and minority institutions in performance of the contract shall be addressed in source selection. The contracting officer shall evaluate the extent to which offerors identify and commit to small business and historically black college or university and minority institution performance of the contract, whether as a joint venture, teaming arrangement, or subcontractor.

   (A) See PGI 215.304(c)(i)(A) for examples of evaluation factors.

   (B) Proposals addressing the extent of small business and historically black college or university and minority institution performance may be separate from subcontracting plans submitted pursuant to the clause at FAR 52.219-9 and should be structured to allow for consideration of offers from small businesses.

   (C) When an evaluation assesses the extent that small businesses and historically black colleges or universities and minority institutions are specifically identified in proposals, the small businesses and historically black colleges or universities and minority institutions considered in the evaluation shall be listed in any subcontracting plan submitted pursuant to FAR 52.219-9 to facilitate compliance with 252.219-7003(g).

   (ii) In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2436, consider the purchase and use of capital assets (including machine tools) manufactured in the United States, in source selections for all major defense acquisition programs, as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2430, when it is pertinent to the best value determination.

   215.305 Proposal evaluation.

   (a)(2) Past performance evaluation. When a past performance evaluation is required by FAR 15.304, and the solicitation includes the clause at FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns, the evaluation factors shall include the past performance of offerors in complying with requirements of that clause. When a past performance evaluation is required by FAR 15.304, and the solicitation includes the clause at FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, the evaluation factors shall include the past performance of offerors in complying with requirements of that clause.

   [FR Doc. 06-566 Filed 1-20-06; 8:45 am]

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