Acquisition regulations: Miscellaneous amendments,

[Federal Register: January 21, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 14)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 3575-3578]

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

[DOCID:fr21ja00-11]

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Part V

Department of Housing and Urban Development

48 CFR Part 2403, et al.

HUD Acquisition Regulation; Miscellaneous Revisions; Final Rule

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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

48 CFR Parts 2403, 2409, 2436, 2439, 2442, 2452, and 2453

[Docket No. FR-4291-F-02]

RIN 2535-AA25

HUD Acquisition Regulation; Miscellaneous Revisions

AGENCY: Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) DHUD.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This rule amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Acquisition Regulation (HUDAR) to implement changes applicable to HUD's procurement activities made in the Federal Acquisition Regulation since the HUDAR's last issuance and implements miscellaneous HUD procurement rules.

DATES: Effective Date: This rule is effective February 22, 2000, except for the addition of a part heading and authority citation for part 2439, which is effective September 22, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Graves, Policy and Field Operations Division, Office of Procurement and Contracts (Seattle Outstation), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Seattle Federal Office Building, 909 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104-1000, telephone (206) 220-5122 extension 3450, FAX (206) 220-5406. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access that number via TTY by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 23, 1999, at 64 FR 46103, the Department of Housing and Urban Development published a proposed rule making miscellaneous changes to the HUD Acquisition Regulation (HUDAR) and invited public comments for 60 days. No public comments were received on the proposed rule. HUD is adopting as final the proposed rule without change.

Findings and Certificates

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

The information collection requirements contained in the HUDAR have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501- 3520), and have been assigned OMB approval number 2535-0091. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection displays a valid control number.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

The Secretary has reviewed this rule before publication and by approving it certifies, in accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1532), that this rule does not impose a Federal Mandate that will result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Secretary, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), has reviewed and approved this rule, and in so doing certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small businesses were specifically invited, however, to comment on whether this rule would significantly affect them, and persons were invited to submit comments according to the instructions in the DATES and COMMENTS sections in the preamble of the proposed rule. No comments were received.

Environmental Impact

This rule does not direct, provide for assistance or loan and mortgage insurance for, or otherwise govern or regulate real property acquisition, disposition, leasing, rehabilitation, alteration, demolition or new construction, or establish, revise or provide for standards for construction or construction materials, manufactured housing or occupancy. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(1), this rule is categorically excluded from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321). Accordingly, a Finding of No significant Impact is not required.

Executive Order 13132, Federalism

This final rule does not have federalism implications and does not impose substantial direct compliance costs on State and local governments or preempt State law within the meaning of Executive Order 13132 (entitled ``Federalism'').

Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks

This rule will not pose an environmental health risk or safety risk to children.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 2403, 2409, 2436, 2439, 2442, 2452, and 2453

Government procurement, HUD acquisition regulation.

1. The authority citation for part 2403 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).

2. Section 2403.670 is revised to read as follows:

   2403.670 Solicitation provision and contract clause.

   Insert the clause at 48 CFR 2452.203-70 in all solicitations and contracts.

   PART 2409--CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

3. The authority citation for part 2409 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); and 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).

4. Section 2409.507-1 is revised to read as follows:

   2409.507-1 Solicitation provisions.

   The Contracting Officer shall insert a provision substantially the same as the provision at 48 CFR 2452.209-70, Potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest, in all solicitations over the simplified acquisition limitation when the Contracting Officer has reason to believe that a potential organizational conflict of interest exists. The Contracting Officer shall describe the nature of the potential conflict in the provision.

5. Section 2409.507-2 is revised to read as follows:

   2409.507-2 Contract clauses.

   The Contracting Officer shall insert a clause substantially the same as the clause at 48 CFR 2452.209-71, Limitation on Future Contracts, in all contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold. The Contracting Officer shall describe in the clause the nature of the potential conflict, and the negotiated terms and the duration of the limitation.

   PART 2436--CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS

6. The authority citation for part 2436 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).

7. Paragraph (a)(2) of section 2436.602-2 is revised to read as follows:

   2436.602-2 Evaluation boards.

   (a) * * *

   (2) The cognizant program office head for boards appointed at the field level. * * * * *

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8. Section 2436.602-4 is revised to read as follows:

   2436.602-4 Selection authority.

   (a) The final selection decision shall be made by the cognizant Primary Organization Head in headquarters, or field program office head.

9. A part heading and an authority citation are added for part 2439 reading as follows:

   PART 2439--ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

   Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).

10. In section 2439.107, a new paragraph (b) is added to read as follows:

    2439.107 Contract clauses.

    (b) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 48 CFR 2452.239-71, Information Technology Virus Security, in solicitations and contracts under which the contractor will provide information technology hardware, software or data products.

    PART 2442--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

11. The authority citation for part 2442 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).

12. Section 2442.1106 is revised to read as follows:

    2442.1106 Reporting requirements.

    (a) All contracts for professional or technical services of a developmental or advisory nature exceeding $500,000 shall include a requirement for the use of systematic project planning and progress reporting. The Contracting Officer may require the use of such project planning and reporting systems for contracts below the above threshold.

13. Section 2442.1107 is revised to read as follows:

    2442.1107 Contract clause.

    The Contracting Officer shall insert a clause substantially the same as the clause at 48 CFR 2452.242-71, Project Management System, in solicitations and contracts for services as described in 2442.1106 expected to exceed $500,000. Use of this clause below the stated threshold is at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

    PART 2452--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

14. The authority citation for part 2452 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).

    2452.203-71 [Removed]

15. Section 2452.203-71 is removed.

16. Section 2452.209-70 is revised to read as follows:

    2452.209-70 Potential organizational conflicts of interest.

    As prescribed in 2409.507-1, the Contracting Officer may insert a provision substantially the same as follows in solicitations:

    Potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest

    (Feb. 2000)

    (a) The Contracting Officer has determined that the proposed contract contains a potential organizational conflict of interest. Offerors are directed to FAR subpart 9.5 for detailed information concerning organizational conflicts of interest.

    (b) The nature of the potential conflict of interest is

    [Contracting Officer insert description] :

    (c) Offerors shall provide a statement which describes concisely all relevant facts concerning any past, present or planned interest (financial, contractual, organizational, or otherwise) relating to the work to be performed under the proposed contract and bearing on whether the offeror has a possible organizational conflict of interest with respect to:

    (1) Being able to render impartial, technically sound, and objective assistance or advice, or

    (2) Being given an unfair competitive advantage. The offeror may also provide relevant facts that show how its organizational structure and/or management systems limit its knowledge of possible organizational conflicts of interest relating to other divisions or sections of the organization and how that structure or system would avoid or mitigate such organizational conflict.

    (d) No award shall be made until any potential conflict of interest has been neutralized or mitigated to the satisfaction of the Contracting Officer.

    (e) Refusal to provide the requested information or the willful misrepresentation of any relevant information by an offeror shall disqualify the offeror from further consideration for award of a contract under this solicitation.

    (f) If the Contracting Officer determines that a potential conflict can be avoided, effectively mitigated, or otherwise resolved through the inclusion of a special contract clause, the terms of the clause will be subject to negotiation. (End of provision)

17. Section 2452.209-71 is revised to read as follows:

    2452.209-71 Limitation on future contracts.

    As prescribed in 2409.507-2, the Contracting Officer may insert a clause substantially the same as follows in solicitations and contracts for services:

    Limitation on Future Contracts

    (Feb. 2000)

    (a) The Contracting Officer has determined that this contract may give rise to potential organizational conflicts of interest as defined at FAR subpart 9.5.

    (b) The nature of the potential conflict of interest is

    [Contracting Officer insert description] :

    (c) If the contractor, under the terms of this contract or through the performance of tasks pursuant to this contract, is required to develop specifications or statements of work that are to be incorporated into a solicitation, the contractor shall be ineligible to perform the work described in that solicitation as a prime or first-tier subcontractor under any ensuing HUD contract.

    (d) Other restrictions--[Contracting Officer insert description].

    (e) The restrictions imposed by this clause shall remain in effect until [Contracting Officer insert period or date]. (End of clause)

18. A new section 2452.239-71 is added to read as follows:

    2452.239-71 Information Technology Virus Security.

    As prescribed in 2439.107(b), insert the following clause:

    Information Technology Virus Security

    (Feb. 2000)

    (a) The contractor hereby agrees to make every reasonable effort to deliver information technology products to HUD free of known computer viruses. The contractor shall be responsible for examining all such products prior to their delivery to HUD using software tools and processes capable of detecting all known viruses.

    (b) The contractor shall include the following statement on deliveries of hardware, software, and data products, including diskettes, made under this contract:

    [product description, part/catalog number, other identifier, and serial number, if any]

    ``This product has been scanned for known viruses using [name of virus-screening product, including version number, if any] and is certified to be free of known viruses at the time of delivery.''

    (c) The Contracting Officer may assess monetary damages against the contractor sufficient to compensate HUD for actual or estimated costs resulting from computer virus damage or malicious destruction of computer information arising from the contractor's failure to take adequate precautions to preclude delivery of virus-containing products in the delivery of hardware, software, or data on diskettes under this contract.

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    (d) This clause shall not subrogate the rights of the Government under any other clause of this contract. (End of clause)

19. Section 2452.242-71 is revised to read as follows:

    2452.242-71 Project management system.

    As prescribed in 2442.1107, insert the following clause:

    Project Management System

    (Feb. 2000)

    (a) Within the time period specified elsewhere in this contract, or as directed by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall provide to the GTR and Contracting Officer a project management baseline plan and routine reports showing the Contractor's actual progress against the baseline plan.

    (b) The project management system shall consist of two parts:

    (1) Baseline plan. The baseline plan shall consist of--

    (i) A narrative portion that:

    (A) Identifies each task and significant activity required for completing the contract work, critical path activities, task dependencies, task milestones, and related deliverables;

    (B) Describes the project schedule, including the period of time needed to accomplish each task and activity (see i(B));

    (C) Describes staff (e.g., hours per individual), financial, and other resources allocated to each task and significant activity; and,

    (D) Provides the rationale for project organization and resource allocation.

    (ii) A graphic portion showing:

    (A) Cumulative planned or budgeted costs of work scheduled for each reporting period over the life of the contract; and

    (B) The planned start and completion dates of all planned and budgeted tasks and activities.

    (2) Progress reports. Progress reports shall consist of:

    (i) A narrative portion that:

    (A) Provides a brief, concise summary of technical progress made and the costs incurred for each task during the reporting period; and (B) Identifies significant problems, or potential problems, their causes, proposed corrective actions, and the net effect on contract completion.

    (ii) A graphic portion showing:

    (A) The schedule status and degree of completion of the tasks, activities and deliverables shown in the baseline plan for the reporting period, including actual start and completion dates for all tasks and activities in the baseline plan;

    (B) The costs incurred during the reporting period, the current total amount of costs incurred through the end date of the reporting period for budgeted work, and the projected costs required to complete the work under the contract.

    (c) The formats, forms and/or software to be used for the project management system under this contract shall be [Contracting Officer insert appropriate language--``as prescribed in the schedule;'' ``a format, forms and/or software designated by the GTR;'' or, ``the contractor's own format, forms and/or software, subject to the approval of the GTR.'']

    (End of clause)

    PART 2453--FORMS

20. The authority citation for part 2453 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).

    2453.242-70 [Removed]

21. Section 2453.242-70 is removed.

    2453.242-71 [Removed]

22. Section 2453.242-71 is removed.

    Dated: December 30, 1999. V. Stephen Carberry, Chief Procurement Officer.

    [FR Doc. 00-531Filed1-20-00; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4210-01-P