Acquisition regulations: Contractor qualifications relating to contract placement,

[Federal Register: February 23, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 35)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 8150-8151]

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

[DOCID:fr23fe04-26]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

48 CFR Parts 209 and 252

[DFARS Case 2003-D011]

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Contractor Qualifications Relating to Contract Placement

AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comments.

SUMMARY: DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to delete text pertaining to contractor qualification requirements. This proposed rule is a result of a transformation initiative undertaken by DoD to dramatically change the purpose and content of the DFARS.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before April 23, 2004, to be considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES: Respondents may submit comments via the Internet at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf/pubcomm. As an alternative,

respondents may e-mail comments to: dfars@osd.mil. Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D011 in the subject line of e-mailed comments.

Respondents that cannot submit comments using either of the above methods may submit comments to: Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Ms. Teresa Brooks, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062; facsimile (703) 602-0350. Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D011.

At the end of the comment period, interested parties may view public comments on the Internet at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Teresa Brooks, (703) 602-0326.

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/dp/dars/transf.htm.

   This proposed rule is a result of the DFARS Transformation initiative. The proposed changes include--

   Deletion of text at 209.103, 209.103-70, and 252.209-7000 pertaining to obsolete Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty inspection requirements.

   Deletion of text at DFARS 209.106-1, 209.106-2, and 209.202 containing internal DoD procedures relating to requests for pre-award surveys and approval for use of product qualification requirements. This text will be relocated to the new DFARS companion resource, Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI). A proposed rule describing the purpose and structure of PGI is published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register under DFARS Case 2003-D090, Procedures, Guidance, and Information.

   Deletion of unnecessary first article testing and approval requirements in DFARS Subpart 209.3.

   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 does not expect this rule 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 DFARS text proposed for deletion addresses requirements that are obsolete or unnecessary or that do not have a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of DoD. Therefore, DoD has not performed an initial regulatory flexibility analysis. DoD invites comments from small businesses and other interested parties. DoD also will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected DFARS subparts in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case 2003-D011.

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 Parts 209 and 252

   Government procurement.

   Michele P. Peterson, Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.

   Therefore, DoD proposes to amend 48 CFR parts 209 and 252 as follows:

   1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 209 and 252 continues to read as follows:

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

      PART 209--CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

      209.103 and 209.103-70 [Removed]

   2. Sections 209.103 and 209.103-70 are removed.

   3. Section 209.106 is revised to read as follows:

      [[Page 8151]]

      209.106 Preaward surveys.

      When requesting a preaward survey, follow the procedures at PGI 209.106.

      209.106-1 and 209.106-2 [Removed]

   4. Sections 209.106-1 and 209.106-2 are removed.

   5. Section 209.202 is revised to read as follows:

      209.202 Policy.

      (a)(1) When establishing qualification requirements, obtain approval in accordance with PGI 209.202(a)(1).

      Subpart 209.3--[Removed]

   6. Subpart 209.3 is removed.

      PART 252--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

      252.209-7000 [Removed and Reserved]

   7. Section 252.209-7000 is removed and reserved.

      [FR Doc. 04-3702 Filed 2-20-04; 8:45 am]

      BILLING CODE 5001-08-P