Federal Acquisition Regulation: Good Faith in Small Business Subcontracting

Published date03 June 2020
Citation85 FR 34155
Record Number2020-10511
SectionProposed rules
CourtDefense Department,General Services Administration
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 107 (Wednesday, June 3, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 3, 2020)]
                [Proposed Rules]
                [Pages 34155-34159]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2020-10511]
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                DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
                GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
                NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
                48 CFR Parts 19, 42, and 52
                [FAR Case 2019-004, Docket No. FAR-2019-0030, Sequence No. 1]
                RIN 9000-AN87
                Federal Acquisition Regulation: Good Faith in Small Business
                Subcontracting
                AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration
                (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
                ACTION: Proposed rule.
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                SUMMARY: DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal
                Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a section of the National
                Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, which requires examples
                of failure to make good faith efforts to comply with a small business
                subcontracting plan.
                DATES: Interested parties should submit written comments at the address
                shown below on or before August 3, 2020 to be considered in the
                formation of the final rule.
                ADDRESSES: Submit comments in response to FAR Case 2019-004 to https://www.regulations.gov. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal
                by searching for ``FAR Case 2019-004''. Select the link ``Comment Now''
                that corresponds with FAR Case 2019-004. Follow the instructions
                provided at the ``Comment Now'' screen. Please include your name,
                company name (if any), and ``FAR Case 2019-004'' on your attached
                document. If your comment cannot be submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the points of contact in the FOR
                FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate
                instructions.
                 Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite FAR Case 2019-
                004 in all correspondence related to this case. Comments received
                generally will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov,
                including any personal and/or business confidential information
                provided. To confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check https://www.regulations.gov, approximately two to three days after submission
                to verify posting.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Malissa Jones, Procurement
                Analyst, at (703)605-2815, or by email at [email protected], for
                clarification of content. For information pertaining to status or
                publication schedules, contact the Regulatory Secretariat Division at
                202-501-4755 or [email protected]. Please cite FAR Case 2019-004.
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                I. Background
                 DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the FAR to implement
                section 1821 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for
                Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 (15 U.S.C 637 note, Pub. L. 114-328). Section
                1821 requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to amend its
                regulations to provide examples of activities that would be considered
                a failure to make a good faith effort to comply with a small business
                subcontracting plan. SBA issued a rule at 84 FR 65647, November 29,
                2019, to implement section 1821 of the NDAA for FY 2017. In its rule,
                SBA amends 13 CFR 125.3(d)(3) to provide guidance on evaluating whether
                the prime contractor made a good faith effort to comply with its small
                business subcontracting plan and a list of examples of activities
                reflective of a failure to make a good faith effort.
                 Additionally, SBA revised 13 CFR 125.3(c)(1)(iv) to require that
                prime contractors with commercial subcontracting plans include indirect
                costs in their subcontracting goals. Other than small business concerns
                that have a commercial subcontracting plan report on performance
                through a summary subcontract report (SSR). SBA's regulations currently
                require that contractors using a commercial subcontracting plan must
                include indirect costs in their SSRs, but do not require these
                contractors to include indirect costs in their subcontracting goals,
                which leads to inconsistencies when comparing the data reported in the
                SSR to the goals in the commercial subcontracting plan.
                 Small business subcontracting plans are required from large prime
                contractors when a contract is expected to exceed $700,000 ($1.5
                million for construction) and has subcontracting possibilities. FAR
                19.704 lists the elements of the plan, which include the contractor's
                goals for subcontracting to small business concerns and a description
                of the efforts the contractor will make to ensure that small business,
                veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small
                business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and
                women-owned small business concerns have an equitable opportunity to
                compete for subcontracts. Failure to make a good faith effort to comply
                with the plan may result in the assessment of liquidated damages per
                FAR 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages--Subcontracting Plan.
                II. Discussion and Analysis
                 The proposed changes to the FAR are summarized in the following
                paragraphs.
                A. Inclusion of Indirect Costs in Commercial Plans
                 Section 19.704, Subcontracting plan requirements, and the clause at
                52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, are amended to require
                that all indirect costs, with certain exceptions, are included in
                commercial plans and SSRs.
                B. Compliance With the Subcontracting Plan
                 Section 19.705-7, Liquidated damages, is renamed ``Compliance with
                the subcontracting plan'' and is reorganized, with paragraph headings
                [[Page 34156]]
                added to make this section easier to read and understand. This section
                includes examples of a good faith effort, and examples of a failure to
                make a good faith effort to comply with the subcontracting plan,
                including SBA's examples at 13 CFR 125.3(d). References to the examples
                in 19.705-7 are added in other sections in subparts 19.7 and 42.15. A
                reference to SBA's examples at 13 CFR 125.3(d), now located at FAR
                19.705-7, is added in the clause at 52.219-16.
                III. Applicability to Contracts at or Below the Simplified Acquisition
                Threshold (SAT) and for Commercial Items, Including Commercially
                Available Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Items
                 This rule proposes to implement a statutory requirement to provide
                examples of activities that would be considered a failure to make a
                good faith effort to comply with a small business subcontracting plan.
                Because section 8(d) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(d))
                requires subcontracting plans only for acquisitions valued above
                $700,000 ($1.5 million for construction contracts), the requirements of
                section 1821 of the NDAA for FY 2017 (15 U.S.C 637 note, Pub. L. 114-
                328) would not apply to contracts at or below the SAT. The FAR Council
                intends to apply the requirements of section 1821 to contracts for the
                acquisition of commercial items. Revisions to the clauses at FAR
                52.219-9 and 52.219-16 are proposed by this rule. Discussion of these
                preliminary determinations is set forth below. The FAR Council will
                consider public feedback before making a final determination on the
                scope of the final rule.
                A. Applicability to Contracts for the Acquisition of Commercial Items
                 Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 1906, acquisitions of commercial items (other
                than acquisitions of COTS items, which are addressed in 41 U.S.C. 1907)
                are exempt from a provision of law unless the law (i) contains criminal
                or civil penalties; (ii) specifically refers to 41 U.S.C. 1906 and
                states that the law applies to acquisitions of commercial items; or
                (iii) the FAR Council makes a written determination and finding that it
                would not be in the best interest of the Federal Government to exempt
                contracts for the procurement of commercial items from the provision of
                law. If none of these conditions are met, the FAR is required to
                include the statutory requirement(s) on a list of provisions of law
                that are inapplicable to the acquisition of commercial items.
                 The purpose of this rule is to implement section 1821 of the NDAA
                for FY 2017 and SBA's implementing regulations. Section 1821 requires
                SBA to provide examples of activities that would be considered a
                failure to make a good faith effort to comply with a small business
                subcontracting plan. Both the FAR and SBA's regulations require
                contractors with small business subcontracting plans, including
                commercial plans, to make a good faith effort to comply with the plans.
                SBA's rule did not exempt the acquisition of commercial items.
                 Section 1821 furthers the Administration's goal of supporting small
                business. It advances the interests of small business subcontractors by
                promoting good faith efforts by large prime contractors to find and use
                small business concerns as subcontractors, thereby providing valuable
                opportunities for small business concerns.
                 For these reasons, it is in the best interest of the Federal
                Government to apply the requirements of this rule to the acquisition of
                commercial items.
                B. Applicability to Contracts for the Acquisition of COTS Items
                 Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 1907, acquisitions of COTS items will be
                exempt from a provision of law unless the law (i) contains criminal or
                civil penalties; (ii) specifically refers to 41 U.S.C. 1907 and states
                that the law applies to acquisitions of COTS items; (iii) concerns
                authorities or responsibilities under the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
                644) or bid protest procedures developed under the authority of 31
                U.S.C. 3551 et seq., 10 U.S.C. 2305(e) and (f), or 41 U.S.C. 3706 and
                3707; or (iv) the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy makes a
                written determination and finding that it would not be in the best
                interest of the Federal Government to exempt contracts for the
                procurement of COTS items from the provision of law. If none of these
                conditions are met, the FAR is required to include the statutory
                requirement(s) on a list of provisions of law that are inapplicable to
                the acquisition of COTS items.
                 The purpose of this rule is to implement section 1821 of the NDAA
                for FY 2017 and SBA's implementing regulations. Section 1821 requires
                SBA to provide examples of activities that would be considered a
                failure to make a good faith effort to comply with a small business
                subcontracting plan. Both the FAR and SBA's regulations require
                contractors with small business subcontracting plans, including
                commercial plans, to make a good faith effort to comply with the plans.
                SBA's rule did not exempt the acquisition of COTS items.
                 Section 1821 furthers the Administration's goal of supporting small
                business. It advances the interests of small business subcontractors by
                promoting good faith efforts by large prime contractors to find and use
                small business concerns as subcontractors, thereby providing valuable
                opportunities for small business concerns.
                 For these reasons, it is in the best interest of the Federal
                Government to apply the requirements of this rule to the acquisition of
                COTS items.
                IV. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
                 Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess
                all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if
                regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
                net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public
                health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O.
                13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits,
                of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility.
                This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not
                subject to review under Section 6(b) of E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning
                and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule
                under 5 U.S.C. 804.
                V. Executive Order 13771
                 This proposed rule is not expected to be subject to E.O. 13771,
                Reducing Regulation and controlling Regulatory Costs, because this rule
                is not a significant regulatory action under E.O. 12866.
                VI. Regulatory Flexibility Act
                 DoD, GSA, and NASA do not expect this proposed 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. However, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) has
                been performed and is summarized as follows:
                 DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the FAR to implement
                section 1821 of the NDAA for FY 2017 (Pub. L. 114-328). Section 1821
                amends the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C 637 note), to require SBA to
                provide examples of activities that would be considered a failure to
                make a good faith effort to comply with the goals and other elements
                in small business subcontracting plans. Additionally, SBA clarified
                in its regulations that large prime contractors with commercial
                subcontracting plans must
                [[Page 34157]]
                include indirect costs in the commercial subcontracting plan goals.
                 The objective of this proposed rule is to implement section 1821
                of the NDAA for FY 2017 and SBA's implementing regulations, which
                provide examples of activities that would be considered a failure to
                make a good faith effort to comply with a small business
                subcontracting plan. SBA has amended 13 CFR 125.3(d)(3) to provide
                guidance on evaluating whether the prime contractor made a good
                faith effort to comply with its small business subcontracting plan
                and a list of examples of activities reflective of a failure to make
                a good faith effort.
                 Additionally, SBA has revised 13 CFR 125.3(c)(1)(iv) to require
                that large prime contractors with commercial subcontracting plans
                include indirect costs in the commercial subcontracting plan goals.
                Large prime contractors that have a commercial subcontracting plan
                report on performance through a SSR in the Electronic Subcontracting
                Reporting System (eSRS). SBA's regulations and the FAR currently
                require that a contractor using a commercial subcontracting plan
                include indirect costs in its SSR. However, these regulations do not
                require contractors to include indirect costs in their commercial
                subcontracting plan goals, which leads to inconsistencies when
                comparing the data reported in the SSR to the goals in the
                commercial subcontracting plan.
                 This rule may have a positive economic impact on any small
                business entity that wishes to participate in Federal procurement as
                a subcontractor. By providing examples of a failure to make a good
                faith effort to comply with small business subcontracting plans,
                contracting officers can determine more easily whether large prime
                contractors have made a good faith effort to comply with their
                subcontracting plans and hold large prime contractors accountable
                for failing to make a good faith effort to comply with their
                subcontracting plans. More diligence in developing and meeting
                subcontracting goals on the part of large prime contractors could
                have a positive impact of giving small business concerns more
                opportunity to subcontract on Federal contracts. Data from the
                Federal Procurement Data System indicate that in FY 2018 there were
                2,397 entities with 15,758 awards that required small business
                subcontracting plans. According to the Federal Funding
                Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System
                (FSRS), there are 19,596 unique entities who are subcontractors.
                Approximately 80 percent of the entities registered in the System
                for Award Management are small entities. Therefore, we estimate that
                80 percent (15,677) of the subcontractors in FSRS are small
                entities. These small entities may benefit from this rule.
                 This proposed rule will require a large prime contractor with a
                commercial subcontracting plan to include indirect costs in its
                subcontracting goals. The benefit of requiring that indirect costs
                be included in subcontracting goals in commercial subcontracting
                plans is that it will increase the small business subcontracting
                goal and thus increase the amount of funds the prime contractor will
                subcontract to small business concerns, providing more opportunities
                for subcontract awards to small business concerns.
                 This proposed rule does not include any new reporting,
                recordkeeping or other compliance requirements for small entities.
                 This proposed rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with
                any other Federal rules.
                 There are no known significant alternative approaches that would
                accomplish the stated objectives of the applicable statute.
                 The Regulatory Secretariat Division has submitted a copy of the
                IRFA to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA. A copy of the IRFA
                may be obtained from the Regulatory Secretariat Division. DoD, GSA, and
                NASA invite comments from small business concerns and other interested
                parties on the expected impact of this rule on small entities.
                 DoD, GSA, and NASA will also consider comments from small entities
                concerning the existing regulations in subparts affected by this rule
                in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit
                comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 610 (FAR case 2019-004) in
                correspondence.
                VII. Paperwork Reduction Act
                 The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) applies to this
                rule; however, these changes to the FAR do not impose additional
                information collection requirements to the paperwork burden previously
                approved under OMB Control Number 9000-0007, Subcontracting Plans.
                List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 19, 42, and 52
                 Government procurement.
                William F. Clark,
                Director, Office of Government-Wide Acquisition Policy, Office of
                Acquisition Policy, Office of Government-Wide Policy.
                 Therefore, for the reasons listed in the preamble, DoD, GSA, and
                NASA are proposing to amend 48 CFR parts 19, 42, and 52 to read as
                follows:
                0
                1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 19, 42, and 52 continues to
                read as follows:
                 Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 51
                U.S.C. 20113.
                PART 19--SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS
                0
                2. Amend section 19.704 by--
                0
                a. Removing from paragraph (a)(6) ``subcontracting goals'' and adding
                ``subcontracting goals (for commercial plans, see paragraph (d) of this
                section)'' in its place;
                0
                b. Revising the introductory text of paragraph (d); and
                0
                c. Removing from paragraph (d)(4) ``one SSR'' and adding ``one SSR that
                includes all indirect costs, except as described in paragraph (d) of
                this section,'' in its place.
                 The revision reads as follows:
                19.704 Subcontracting plan requirements.
                * * * * *
                 (d) A commercial plan (as defined in 19.701) is the preferred type
                of subcontracting plan for contractors furnishing commercial items. The
                subcontracting goals established for a commercial plan shall include
                all indirect costs with the exception of those such as the following:
                Employee salaries and benefits; payments for petty cash; depreciation;
                interest; income taxes; property taxes; lease payments; bank fees;
                fines, claims, and dues; original equipment manufacturer relationships
                during warranty periods (negotiated up front with the product);
                utilities and other services purchased from a municipality or an entity
                solely authorized by the municipality to provide those services in a
                particular geographical region; and philanthropic contributions. Once a
                contractor's commercial plan has been approved, the Government shall
                not require another subcontracting plan from the same contractor while
                the plan remains in effect, as long as the product or service being
                provided by the contractor continues to meet the definition of a
                commercial item. The contractor shall--
                * * * * *
                19.705-4 [Amended]
                0
                3. Amend section 19.705-4 by removing from paragraph (c), in the fourth
                sentence, ``faith effort'' and adding ``faith effort (see 19.705-7)''.
                0
                4. Amend section 19.705-6 by revising paragraphs (g)(1), (h), and (i)
                to read as follows:
                19.705-6 Postaward responsibilities of the contracting officer.
                * * * * *
                 (g) * * *
                 (1) Assess whether the prime contractor made a good faith effort to
                comply with its small business subcontracting plan. See 19.705-7(b) for
                more information on the determination of good faith effort.
                * * * * *
                 (h) Initiate action to assess liquidated damages in accordance with
                19.705-7 upon a recommendation by the administrative contracting
                officer, if one is assigned, or receipt of other reliable evidence to
                indicate that assessing liquidated damages is warranted.
                [[Page 34158]]
                 (i) Take action to enforce the terms of the contract upon receipt
                of a notice from the contract administration office under 19.706(f).
                * * * * *
                0
                5. Amend section 19.705-7 by--
                0
                 a. Revising the section heading;
                0
                 b. Adding a paragraph heading to paragraph (a);
                0
                 c. Removing from paragraph (a) ``small disadvantaged business'' and
                adding ``small disadvantaged business,'' in its place;
                0
                d. Revising paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e);
                0
                 e. Adding a paragraph heading to the introductory text of paragraph
                (f);
                0
                 f. Removing paragraph (g); and
                0
                 g. Redesignating paragraph (h) as paragraph (f)(5).
                 The revisions and additions read as follows:
                19.705-7 Compliance with the subcontracting plan.
                 (a) General. * * *
                 (b) Determination of good faith effort. (1) In determining whether
                a contractor failed to make a good faith effort to comply with its
                subcontracting plan, a contracting officer must look to the totality of
                the contractor's actions, consistent with the information and
                assurances provided in its plan. The fact that the contractor failed to
                meet its subcontracting goals does not, in and of itself, constitute a
                failure to make a good faith effort (see 19.701). For example,
                notwithstanding a contractor's diligent effort to identify and solicit
                offers from any of the small business, veteran-owned small business,
                service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business,
                small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns,
                factors such as unavailability of anticipated sources or unreasonable
                prices may frustrate achievement of the contractor's subcontracting
                goals. The contracting officer may consider any of the following,
                though not all inclusive, to be indicators of a good faith effort:
                 (i) Breaking out work to be subcontracted into economically
                feasible units, as appropriate, to facilitate small business
                participation.
                 (ii) Conducting market research to identify potential small
                business subcontractors through all reasonable means, such as searching
                SAM, posting notices or solicitations on SBA's SUBNet, participating in
                business matchmaking events, and attending preproposal conferences.
                 (iii) Soliciting small business concerns as early in the
                acquisition process as practicable to allow them sufficient time to
                submit a timely offer for the subcontract.
                 (iv) Providing interested small businesses with adequate and timely
                information about plans, specifications, and requirements for
                performance of the prime contract to assist them in submitting a timely
                offer for the subcontract.
                 (v) Negotiating in good faith with interested small businesses.
                 (vi) Directing small businesses that need additional assistance to
                SBA.
                 (vii) Assisting interested small businesses in obtaining bonding,
                lines of credit, required insurance, necessary equipment, supplies,
                materials, or services.
                 (viii) Utilizing the available services of small business
                associations; local, state, and Federal small business assistance
                offices; and other organizations.
                 (ix) Participating in a formal mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] program
                with one or more small-business prot[eacute]g[eacute]s that results in
                developmental assistance to the prot[eacute]g[eacute]s.
                 (x) Although failing to meet the subcontracting goal in one
                socioeconomic category, exceeding the goal by an equal or greater
                amount in one or more of the other categories.
                 (xi) Fulfilling all of the requirements of the subcontracting plan.
                 (2) When considered in the context of the contractor's total effort
                in accordance with its plan, the contracting officer may consider any
                of the following, though not all inclusive, to be indicators of a
                failure to make a good faith effort:
                 (i) Failure to attempt through market research to identify,
                contact, solicit, or consider for contract award small business,
                veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small
                business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, or
                women-owned small business concerns, through all reasonable means
                including outreach, industry days, or the use of Federal systems such
                as SBA's Dynamic Small Business Search or SUBNet systems.
                 (ii) Failure to designate and maintain a company official to
                administer the subcontracting program and monitor and enforce
                compliance with the plan.
                 (iii) Failure to submit an acceptable ISR, or the SSR, using the
                eSRS, or as provided in agency regulations, by the report due dates
                specified in 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan.
                 (iv) Failure to maintain records or otherwise demonstrate
                procedures adopted to comply with the plan including subcontracting
                flowdown requirements.
                 (v) Adoption of company policies or documented procedures that have
                as their objectives the frustration of the objectives of the plan.
                 (vi) Failure to pay small business subcontractors in accordance
                with the terms of the contract with the prime contractor;
                 (vii) Failure to correct substantiated findings from Federal
                subcontracting compliance reviews or participate in subcontracting plan
                management training offered by the Government;
                 (viii) Failure to provide the contracting officer with a written
                explanation if the contractor fails to acquire articles, equipment,
                supplies, services, or materials or obtain the performance of
                construction work as described in 19.704(a)(12).
                 (ix) Falsifying records of subcontract awards to small business
                concerns.
                 (c) Documentation of good faith effort. If, at completion of the
                basic contract or any option, or in the case of a commercial plan, at
                the close of the fiscal year for which the plan is applicable, a
                contractor has failed to comply with the requirements of its
                subcontracting plan, which includes meeting its subcontracting goals,
                the contracting officer shall review all available information for an
                indication that the contractor has not made a good faith effort to
                comply with the plan. If no such indication is found, the contracting
                officer shall document the file accordingly.
                 (d) Notice of failure to make a good faith effort. If the
                contracting officer decides in accordance with paragraph (b) of this
                section that the contractor failed to make a good faith effort to
                comply with its subcontracting plan, the contracting officer shall give
                the contractor written notice in accordance with 52.219-16, Liquidated
                Damages--Subcontracting Plan, specifying the material breach, which may
                be included in the contractor's past performance information, advising
                the contractor of the possibility that the contractor may have to pay
                to the Government liquidated damages, and providing a period of 15
                working days (or longer period as necessary) within which to respond.
                The notice shall give the contractor an opportunity to demonstrate what
                good faith efforts have been made before the contracting officer issues
                the final decision, and shall further state that failure of the
                contractor to respond may be taken as an admission that no valid
                explanation exists.
                 (e) Payment of liquidated damages. (1) If, after consideration of
                all the pertinent data, the contracting officer finds that the
                contractor failed to make
                [[Page 34159]]
                a good faith effort to comply with its subcontracting plan, the
                contracting officer shall issue a final decision to the contractor to
                that effect and require the payment of liquidated damages in an amount
                stated. The contracting officer's final decision shall state that the
                contractor has the right to appeal under the clause in the contract
                entitled Disputes. Calculations and procedures shall be in accordance
                with 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages--Subcontracting Plan.
                 (2) The amount of damages attributable to the contractor's failure
                to comply shall be an amount equal to the actual dollar amount by which
                the contractor failed to achieve each subcontracting goal. For
                calculations for commercial plans see paragraph (f) of this section.
                 (3) Liquidated damages shall be in addition to any other remedies
                that the Government may have.
                 (f) Commercial plans. * * *
                19.706 [Amended]
                0
                 6. Amend section 19.706 by removing from paragraph (f)
                ``subcontracting plan'' and adding ``subcontracting plan (see 19.705-
                7(b) for more information on the determination of good faith effort)''.
                PART 42--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT SERVICES
                0
                7. Amend section 42.1501 by redesignating paragraphs (a)(5) thru (a)(7)
                as paragraphs (a)(6) thru (a)(8) and adding new paragraph (a)(5) to
                read as follows:
                42.1501 General.
                 (a) * * *
                 (5) Complying with the requirements of the small business
                subcontracting plan (see 19.705-7(b));
                * * * * *
                PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
                0
                8. Amend section 52.212-5 by revising the date of the clause and
                paragraphs (b)(17)(i), (b)(17)(v), and (b)(20) 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 (DATE)
                * * * * *
                 (b) * * *
                 __(17)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (DATE)
                (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).
                * * * * *
                 __(v) Alternate IV (DATE) of 52.219-9.
                * * * * *
                 __(20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages--Subcontracting Plan (DATE)
                (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).
                * * * * *
                0
                9. Amend section 52.219-9 by--
                0
                 a. Revising the date of the clause;
                0
                 b. Removing from paragraph (d)(2)(i) ``subcontracts'' and adding
                ``subcontracts, including all indirect costs except as described in
                paragraph (g) of this clause,'' in its place;
                0
                 c. Adding a new fifth sentence to paragraph (g);
                0
                 d. Amending alternate IV by revising the date of the clause and
                paragraph (d)(2)(i).
                 The revisions and additions read as follows:
                52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan.
                * * * * *
                Small Business Subcontracting Plan (DATE)
                * * * * *
                 (g) * * * A Contractor authorized to use a commercial
                subcontracting plan shall include in its subcontracting goals and in
                its SSR all indirect costs, with the exception of those such as the
                following: Employee salaries and benefits; payments for petty cash;
                depreciation; interest; income taxes; property taxes; lease
                payments; bank fees; fines, claims, and dues; original equipment
                manufacturer relationships during warranty periods (negotiated up
                front with the product); utilities and other services purchased from
                a municipality or an entity solely authorized by the municipality to
                provide those services in a particular geographical region; and
                philanthropic contributions. * * *
                * * * * *
                 Alternate IV (DATE). * * *
                 (d) * * *
                 (2) * * *
                 (i) Total dollars planned to be subcontracted for an individual
                subcontracting plan; or the Offeror's total projected sales,
                expressed in dollars, and the total value of projected subcontracts
                to support the sales for a commercial plan, including all indirect
                costs, with the exception of those such as the following: Employee
                salaries and benefits; payments for petty cash; depreciation;
                interest; income taxes; property taxes; lease payments; bank fees;
                fines, claims, and dues; original equipment manufacturer
                relationships during warranty periods (negotiated up front with the
                product); utilities and other services purchased from a municipality
                or an entity solely authorized by the municipality to provide those
                services in a particular geographical region; and philanthropic
                contributions;
                * * * * *
                0
                10. Amend 52.219-16 by revising the date of the clause and removing
                from paragraph (b) ``plan, established'' and adding ``plan (see 19.705-
                7), established'' in its place.
                 The revision reads as follows:
                52.219-16 Liquidated Damages--Subcontracting Plan.
                * * * * *
                Liquidated Damages--Subcontracting Plan (DATE)
                * * * * *
                [FR Doc. 2020-10511 Filed 6-2-20; 8:45 am]
                 BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P
                

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