NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Detection and Avoidance of Counterfeit Parts (NFS Case 2017-N010)

Published date27 August 2020
Citation85 FR 52924
Record Number2020-16986
SectionRules and Regulations
CourtNational Aeronautics And Space Administration
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 167 (Thursday, August 27, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 167 (Thursday, August 27, 2020)]
                [Rules and Regulations]
                [Pages 52924-52929]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2020-16986]
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                NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
                48 CFR Parts 1812, 1831, 1846, and 1852
                RIN 2700-AE38
                NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Detection and
                Avoidance of Counterfeit Parts (NFS Case 2017-N010)
                AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
                ACTION: Final rule.
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                SUMMARY: NASA is finalizing a revision to the NASA Federal Acquisition
                Regulation Supplement (NFS) requiring covered contractors and
                subcontractors at all tiers to use electronic parts that are currently
                in production and purchased from the original manufacturers of the
                parts, their authorized dealers, or suppliers who obtain such parts
                exclusively from the original manufacturers of the parts or their
                authorized dealers. These changes implement section 823(c)(2)(B) of
                Public Law 115-10, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
                Transition Authorization Act of 2017.
                DATES: This rule is effective September 28, 2020.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dorice Kenely, NASA HQ, Office of
                Procurement, Policy, Training and Pricing Division, LP-011, 300 E
                Street SW, Washington, DC 20456-0001. Telephone 202-358-0443; facsimile
                202-358-3082.
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                I. Overview of the Rule
                 This rule implements section 823(c)(2)(B) of Public Law 115-10, the
                National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization
                Act of 2017. It revises the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation
                Supplement (NFS) to add new text requiring a covered contractor,
                defined as a contractor supplying an electronic part or a product that
                contains an electronic part, and their subcontractors at all tiers to
                use electronic parts currently in production and purchased from the
                original manufacturers, their authorized dealers, or suppliers who
                obtain such parts exclusively from the original manufacturers of the
                parts or their authorized dealers. If the contractor does not purchase
                electronic parts as discussed above, they must purchase the parts from
                a NASA identified supplier or contractor-approved supplier. The
                contractor then assumes responsibility and be required to inspect, test
                and validate authentication of the part. The contractor is also
                required to obtain traceability information and provide this
                information to the contracting officer upon request. The selection of
                contractor-approved suppliers is subject to review and audit by the
                contracting officer.
                 NASA's final rule is a separate but companion action to the FAR
                Council rule on Reporting of Nonconforming Items to the Government-
                Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP) (FAR Case 2013-002) published at
                84 FR 64680. While both rules pertain to the topic of counterfeit parts
                and suspected counterfeit parts, there are discernable differences as
                they are implementing separate acts. These differences are discussed
                below.
                Scope
                 While both the FAR and the NFS rule pertain to the topic of
                counterfeit parts and suspected counterfeit parts, the FAR has a
                broader application in the types of items covered. It is applicable to
                all items subject to higher-level quality standards in accordance with
                the clause at FAR 52.246-11, Higher-Level Contract Quality Requirement;
                all items that the contracting officer, in consultation with the
                requiring activity determines to be critical items for which use of the
                clause is appropriate; and for the acquisition of services, if the
                contractor will furnish, as part of the service, any items that meet
                the criteria specified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(2) of this
                section. In addition, the FAR covers acquisitions that exceed the
                simplified acquisition threshold and are by, or for, the Department of
                Defense for electronic parts or end items, components, parts, or
                materials containing electronic parts. Based on the requirements of
                section 823 the NFS rule applies only to electronic parts for use in a
                safety or mission critical applications.
                Reporting/Notification
                 The FAR requires two reporting requirements which are cleared under
                OMB Control number 9000-0187 titled Reporting of Nonconforming Items to
                the Government-Industry Data Exchange Program--FAR Sections affected:
                52.246-26. One requirement is the submission of a report to GIDEP when
                the contractor becomes aware or has reason to suspect, such as through
                inspection, testing, record review, or notification from another source
                (e.g., seller, customer, third party) that an item purchased by the
                Contractor for delivery to, or for, the Government is a counterfeit or
                suspect counterfeit item
                [[Page 52925]]
                or a common item that has a major or critical nonconformance. The
                second reporting requirement is a notification to the contracting
                officer after becoming aware or having reason to suspect, such as
                through inspection, testing, record review, or notification from
                another source (e.g., seller, customer, third party) that any end item,
                component, subassembly, part, or material contained in supplies
                purchased by the Contractor for delivery to, or for, the Government is
                counterfeit or suspect counterfeit.
                 While the NFS rule does not include a GIDEP reporting requirement
                it does include a requirement to notify the contracting officer when
                the contractor becomes aware, or has reason to suspect, that any end
                item, component, part or material contained in supplies purchased by
                NASA, or purchased by a covered contractor or subcontractor for
                delivery to, or on behalf of, NASA, contains a counterfeit electronic
                part or suspect counterfeit electronic part.
                Allowability of Costs
                 As required by statute this NFS rule establishes that costs related
                to counterfeit parts, suspect counterfeit parts, or any corrective
                action that may be required to remedy the use or inclusion of such
                parts is unallowable unless a specific set of criteria is met. The FAR
                does not address the allowability of costs as it relates to the
                counterfeit parts, suspect counterfeit parts, or any corrective action
                that may be required to remedy the use or inclusion of such parts.
                Supply Chain Sources
                 As required by statute the NFS rule establishes required sources
                for both electronic parts that are in production or currently available
                in stock and separately electronic parts are not in production or
                currently available in stock from suppliers. The FAR does not address
                sources of items.
                Applicability--Commercial/COTS and SAT
                 Section 823 does not provide for any exemptions. As required by
                statute, this NFS rule applies to any electronic part or products that
                contain electronic parts, which includes commercial items, including
                COTS items, and contracts at or below the SAT. The associated final FAR
                rule is not applicable to commercial items or commercially off the
                shelf items; additionally, it does not apply to contracts and
                subcontracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold.
                II. Summary of Public Comments
                 The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register at 85 FR
                663 on January 7, 2020 with five commenters submitting materials. In
                several cases, commenters requested changes to definitions that did not
                align with definitions provided in the National Aeronautics and Space
                Administration Transition Authorization Act and were therefore not
                taken. Two commenters merely affirmed the proposed rule text with no
                suggested changes. While no changes were made to the final rule in
                response to public comment, NASA's analysis and response to all other
                comments are discussed below.
                 One commenter suggested adding a requirement to electronically
                verify if a product was purchased from eBay.com or amazon.com. NASA
                notes no changes are necessary to the rule based on this comment
                because if the process outlined in the rule is followed, purchases from
                these sources will be captured without any additional verification
                required. Additionally, the selection of contractor-approved suppliers
                is subject to review and audit by the contracting officer.
                 A commenter recommended requiring covered procuring parts that are
                not in production or available in stock to inspect & test the parts
                consistent with published industry standards, including reliability
                testing and apply additional standards and higher testing requirements
                to those parts to mitigate the risk. Additionally, the commenter
                requested clarification for the phrase ``in production'' in 1846.7002
                and 1852.246-74 specifically, when a manufacturer, authorized
                distributor, or authorized aftermarket manufacturer has stock of a
                semiconductor in wafer or die form, that it be considered to be ``in
                production.'' Lastly, the commenter recommend ``electronic parts'' be
                amended to match the definition outlined 48 CFR 252.246-7008(a).
                 This rule uses the language and definitions as provided by the 2017
                NASA Transition Authorization Act so no changes are made to the
                definitions. NASA believes no additional changes are necessary because
                if the process outlined in the rule is followed, the contractor must
                obtain traceability information for the electronic parts (e.g., data
                code, lot code, serial number) and provide the information to the
                contracting officer upon request. In addition, for unique contract
                requirements that involve electronic parts that are not in production,
                NASA contractors are subject to NASA internal validation which include
                researching part availability from suppliers that meet the defined
                criteria, and researching supplier quality histories in the GIDEP
                database, NASA-internal supplier quality databases, part inspection and
                failure databases, open sources of supplier information indicating
                areas of risk, project nonconformance and risk databases, as well as
                other subscription-based databases that are designed for sharing
                insight about counterfeit risks in the supply chain. Also, NASA
                Headquarters' Office of Safety and Mission Assurance executes audits of
                Centers' and Projects' adherence to quality policies on a rotating
                basis and can instigate special audits when needed to discern
                conformance issues and risks.
                 A commenter wanted to know how NASA will maintain this NASA-
                identified supplier list.
                 As discussed elsewhere in the rule, NASA-identified suppliers will
                be identified on a case-by-case basis, using internal counterfeit
                avoidance and contractor validation processes, in lieu of maintaining a
                list.
                 A commenter wanted to know how NASA will mitigate risks for parts
                provided by a NASA-identified supplier.
                 The Agency-identified suppliers will be compliant with and
                validated using the policies and procedures discussed in this rule as
                well as NASA's standard quality assurance and counterfeit avoidance
                policies and procedures and supplier validation practices as described
                elsewhere in the rule.
                 A commenter wanted to know will NASA be accountable for corrective
                actions on identified suppliers.
                 As discussed in the rule costs related to corrective action to
                remedy the use or inclusion of counterfeit electronic parts are
                allowable costs for covered contractors, including NASA-identified
                contractors, that: (a) Have a system to detect and avoid counterfeit
                electronic parts and suspect counterfeit electronic parts and (b) whose
                system has been reviewed and approved by NASA or the Department of
                Defense pursuant to 48 CFR 244.303.
                 A commenter wanted to know what NASA's validation process be for
                their identified suppliers.
                 The Agency's validation process actively pursues objective evidence
                of part and part supplier suitability throughout design, procurement,
                and product acceptance which provides the technical authority and risk
                management systems continuous/real-time awareness of conformance with
                NASA's standard quality assurance and counterfeit avoidance policies
                and procedures. Validation practices include
                [[Page 52926]]
                researching part availability, supplier quality histories in the GIDEP
                database, NASA-internal supplier quality databases, part inspection and
                failure databases, open sources of supplier information indicating
                areas of risk, project nonconformance and risk databases, as well as
                other subscription-based databases that are designed for sharing
                insight about counterfeit risks in the supply chain.
                 A commenter recommended the final rule clarify how ``mission
                critical'' and ``safety'' applications will be identified.
                 Section 823 cites the presence of counterfeit electronic parts in
                the supply chain as ``a danger to the United States government
                astronauts, crew, and other personnel and a risk to the agency
                overall'' as such, each unique contract requirement for electronic
                parts will be subject to the requirements of this rule when their
                presence in the NASA supply chain poses a danger to United States
                government astronauts, crew, and other personnel and a risk to the
                agency overall.
                IV. Applicability to Commercial Item Acquisitions, Including
                Commercially Available Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Items, and Acquisitions
                Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)
                 This rule implements section 823 of the National Aeronautics and
                Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Pub. L. 115-
                10). Section 823 does not limit the application of the requirements of
                the statue to non-commercial contracts or contracts above the
                simplified acquisition threshold. Consistent with 41 U.S.C. 1905, 1906
                and 1907, the NASA Assistant Administrator for Procurement has
                determined that it is in the best interest of NASA to apply section 823
                to the acquisition of commercial items, including COTS items, and those
                requirements below the SAT.
                V. 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 is not a major rule under 5
                U.S.C. 804.
                VI. Executive Order 13771.
                 This rule is not subject to the requirements of E.O. 13771 because
                this rule is not significant under E.O. 12866.
                VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act
                 No comments were received on NASA's initial analysis and the Final
                Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) is summarized below.
                 The rule will apply to all ``covered contractors.'' Covered
                contractors, as defined by Public Law 115-10 are contractors, including
                small entities, that supply an electronic part, or a product that
                contains an electronic part to NASA. While the rule will apply to all
                classes of small business, it will not necessarily affect all of those
                business because the rule requires reporting only when nonconforming
                defective and/or suspect counterfeit parts are present or there is
                suspicion that counterfeit parts are present in the supply chain. Since
                this rule requires contractors and subcontractors to purchase
                electronic parts that are currently in production from the original
                manufacturer, the authorized dealers or suppliers who obtain parts
                exclusively from the original manufacturer or for products that are not
                currently in production use of a NASA identified contractor, NASA
                believes that there is very little risk that a contractor or
                subcontractor will have a counterfeit part in the supply chain and thus
                very little risk that a small contractor will have to report. As
                reported in FPDS, NASA has had contract obligations with 3,120, 3,023
                and 2,805 small business contractors in 2016, 2017 and 2018,
                respectively and no counterfeit parts were found in the supply chain.
                Further, based on the initial scope of the rule, NASA has assessed the
                number of commercial item acquisitions for electronic items procured
                above and below the simplified acquisition threshold and believe the
                impact of this proposed rule will be minimal. An analysis of data for
                the last three fiscal years from the FPDS revealed the following:
                ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Number of Total dollar
                 actions amount of actions
                ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                2019:
                 Electronic Commercial Items...... 131 $17,810,644
                 Under the SAT.................... 110 6,348,554
                 Above the SAT.................... 21 11,462,089
                2018:
                 Electronic Commercial Items...... 275 38,516,656
                 Under the SAT.................... 229 10,922,058
                 Above the SAT.................... 46 27,594,598
                2017:
                 Electronic Commercial Items...... 526 38,020,457
                 Under the SAT.................... 498 16,934,479
                 Above the SAT.................... 28 21,085,978
                ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 The policy requires covered contractors and subcontractors to
                notify the applicable NASA contracting officer in writing not later
                than 30 calendar days after the date the covered contractor becomes
                aware, or has reason to suspect, that any end item, component, part or
                material contained in supplies purchased by NASA, or purchased by a
                covered contractor or subcontractor for delivery to, or on behalf of,
                NASA, contains a counterfeit electronic part or suspect counterfeit
                electronic part.
                 The final rule also requires covered contractors and subcontractors
                to purchase electronic parts that are currently in production from the
                original manufacturer, their authorized dealers or suppliers who obtain
                parts exclusively from the original manufacturer or their authorized
                dealers. Electronic parts that are not currently in production or
                available in stock shall be obtained from NASA identified suppliers or
                contractor-approved suppliers and the contractor
                [[Page 52927]]
                assumes responsibility for the authenticity, inspection, testing and
                traceability of the part. Contractor-approved suppliers are subject to
                review and audit by the Contracting Officer.
                VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act
                 This rule contains information collection requirements that
                requires the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under the
                Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). Accordingly, NASA has
                submitted a request for approval of a new information collection
                requirement associated with NFS Case 2017-N010 Detection and Avoidance
                of Counterfeit Parts to the Office of Management and Budget.
                List of Subjects in 48 CFR:
                 Parts 1812 ``Acquisition of Commercial Items''; 1831 ``Contract
                Cost Principles and Procedures''; 1846 ``Quality Assurance'': 1852
                Provisions and Clauses. Government procurement.
                Geoffrey Sage,
                NASA FAR Supplement Manager.
                 Accordingly, 48 CFR parts 1812, 1831, 1846, and 1852 are amended as
                follows:
                0
                1. The authority citation for parts 1816, 1832 and 1852 continues to
                read as follows:
                 Authority: 51 U.S.C. 20113(a) and 48 CFR chapter 1.
                PART 1812--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS
                0
                2. Amend section 1812.301 by redesignating paragraph (f)(i)(T) as
                paragraph (f)(i)(U) and adding a new paragraph (f)(i)(T) to read as
                follows.
                1812.301 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses for the
                acquisition of commercial items.
                 (f)(i) * * *
                 (T) 1852.246-74, Counterfeit Electronic Part Detection and
                Avoidance.
                 (U) 1852.247.71, Protection of the Florida Manatee.
                PART 1831--CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES
                0
                3. Add section 1831.205-71 to read as follows:
                1831.205-70 Costs related to counterfeit electronic parts and suspect
                counterfeit electronic parts.
                 (a) Scope. This section implements the requirements of section
                823(c)(2)(B), the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Pub. L.
                115-10).
                 (b) The costs of counterfeit electronic parts, suspect counterfeit
                electronic parts, and any corrective action that may be required to
                remedy the use or inclusion of such parts are unallowable, unless--
                 (1)(i) The covered contractor, as defined in section 1846.7001, has
                an operational system to detect and avoid counterfeit electronic parts
                and suspect counterfeit electronic parts that has been reviewed and
                approved by NASA or the Department of Defense pursuant to 48 CFR
                244.303; and
                 (ii) The covered contractor, including subcontractors, notifies the
                applicable NASA contracting officer in writing in accordance with
                1846.7002(c); or
                 (2) The counterfeit electronic parts or suspect counterfeit
                electronic parts were provided to the covered contractor as Government
                property in accordance with part 45 of the Federal Acquisition
                Regulation.
                PART 1846--QUALITY ASSURANCE
                0
                4. Add subpart 1846.70 to read as follows:
                Subpart 1846.70--Counterfeit Electronic Part Detection and
                Avoidance.
                Sec.
                1846.7000 Scope of subpart.
                1846.7001 Definitions.
                1846.7002 Policy.
                1846.7003 Contract clause.
                1846.7000 Scope of subpart.
                 This subpart implements section 823(c), the NASA Transition
                Authorization Act of 2017 (Pub. L. 115-10).
                 (a) Prescribes policy and procedures for preventing counterfeit
                electronic parts and suspect counterfeit electronic parts from entering
                the supply chain when procuring electronic parts or end items,
                components, parts, or assemblies that contain electronic parts; and
                 (b) Applies to electronic parts when their presence in the NASA
                supply chain poses a danger to United States government astronauts,
                crew, and other personnel and a risk to the agency overall.
                 (c) Contracting officers, in consultation with the requiring
                activity, are responsible for making a determination concerning the
                applicability of this section and the appropriate use of the prescribed
                contract clauses.
                1846.7001 Definitions.
                 ``Authentic part'' means a new and unmodified part produced by the
                original component manufacturer, or a source with the express written
                authority of the original manufacturer or current design activity,
                including an authorized aftermarket manufacturer.
                 ``Authentication'' means a process to verify that a part is not
                counterfeit or suspect counterfeit.
                 ``Authorized aftermarket manufacturer'' means an organization that
                fabricates an electronic part under a contract with, or with the
                express written authority of, the original component manufacturer based
                on the original component manufacturer's designs, formulas, and/or
                specifications.
                 ``Authorized supplier'' means a supplier, distributor, or an
                aftermarket manufacturer with a contractual arrangement with, or the
                express written authority of, the original manufacturer or current
                design activity to buy, stock, repackage, sell, or distribute the part.
                 ``Contract manufacturer'' means a company that produces goods under
                contract for another company under the label or brand name of that
                company.
                 ``Contractor-approved supplier'' means a supplier that does not
                have a contractual agreement with the original component manufacturer,
                but has been qualified as trustworthy by a contractor or subcontractor
                as having met prescribed counterfeit electronic part detection and
                avoidance system criteria using established counterfeit prevention
                industry standards and processes.
                 ``Covered contractor'' means a contractor that supplies an
                electronic part, or a product that contains an electronic part, to
                NASA.
                 ``Counterfeit electronic part'' means an unlawful or unauthorized
                reproduction, substitution, or alteration that has been knowingly
                mismarked, misidentified, or otherwise misrepresented to be an
                authentic, unmodified electronic part from the original manufacturer,
                or a source with the express written authority of the original
                manufacturer or current design activity, including an authorized
                aftermarket manufacturer. Unlawful or unauthorized substitution
                includes used electronic parts represented as new, or the false
                identification of grade, serial number, lot number, date code, or
                performance characteristics.
                 ``Electronic part'' means a discrete electronic component,
                including a microcircuit, transistor, capacitor, resistor, or diode,
                that is intended for use in a safety or mission critical application.
                 ``Original component manufacturer'' means an organization that
                designs and/or engineers a part and is entitled to any intellectual
                property rights to that part.
                 ``Original equipment manufacturer'' means a company that
                manufactures products that it has designed from purchased components
                and sells those
                [[Page 52928]]
                products under the company's brand name.
                 ``Original manufacturer'' means the original component
                manufacturer, the original equipment manufacturer, or the contract
                manufacturer.
                 ``Suspect counterfeit electronic part'' means an electronic part
                for which credible evidence (including, but not limited to, visual
                inspection or testing) provides reasonable doubt that the electronic
                part is authentic.
                1846.7002 Policy.
                 The government and its contractors and subcontractors at all tiers
                are required to obtain electronic parts as prescribed in this section,
                whether the electronic parts are procured as discrete items or
                contained in an assembly.
                 (a) The covered contractor and subcontractors at all tiers shall
                obtain electronic parts that are in production or currently available
                in stock from--
                 (1) The original manufacturers of the parts;
                 (2) Their authorized dealers; or
                 (3) Suppliers who obtain such parts exclusively from the original
                manufacturers of the parts or their authorized dealers.
                 (b) If electronic parts are not in production or currently
                available in stock from suppliers as stated in paragraph (a) of this
                section, the covered contractor shall obtain electronic parts from NASA
                identified suppliers or contractor-approved suppliers for which--
                 (1) The covered contractor assumes responsibility for the
                authenticity of parts; and
                 (2) The covered contractor performs inspection, testing and
                authentication of parts; and
                 (3) The covered contractor obtains traceability information for the
                electronic parts (e.g., data code, lot code, serial number) and
                provides this information to the contracting officer upon request; and
                 (4) The selection of contractor-approved suppliers is subject to
                review and audit by the contracting officer.
                 (c) The covered contractor, including subcontractors, shall notify
                the applicable NASA contracting officer in writing not later than 30
                calendar days after the date the covered contractor becomes aware, or
                has reason to suspect, that any end item, component, part or material
                contained in supplies purchased by NASA, or purchased by a covered
                contractor or subcontractor for delivery to, or on behalf of, NASA,
                contains a counterfeit electronic part or suspect counterfeit
                electronic part.
                1846.7003 Contract clause.
                 For acquisitions with covered contractors as defined in section
                1846.7001, use the clause at 1852.246-74, Contractor Counterfeit
                Electronic Part Detection and Avoidance, in solicitations and
                contracts, when procuring--
                 (a) Electronic parts;
                 (b) End items, components, parts, or assemblies containing
                electronic parts; or
                 (c) Services, if the covered contractor will supply electronic
                parts or components, parts, or assemblies containing electronic parts
                as part of the service.
                PART 1852--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
                0
                5. Add section 1852.246-74 to read as follows:
                1852.246-74 Contractor Counterfeit Electronic Part Detection and
                Avoidance.
                 As prescribed in 1846.7003, use the following clause:
                CONTRACTOR COUNTERFEIT ELECTRONIC PART DETECTION AND AVOIDANCE.
                (DATE)
                 (a) Definitions. As used in this clause--
                 ``Authentic part'' means a new and unmodified part produced by
                the original component manufacturer, or a source with the express
                written authority of the original manufacturer or current design
                activity, including an authorized aftermarket manufacturer.
                 ``Authentication'' means a process to verify that a part is not
                counterfeit or suspect counterfeit.
                 ``Authorized aftermarket manufacturer'' means an organization
                that fabricates a part under a contract with, or with the express
                written authority of, the original component manufacturer based on
                the original component manufacturer's designs, formulas, and/or
                specifications.
                 ``Authorized supplier'' means a supplier, distributor, or an
                aftermarket manufacturer with a contractual arrangement with, or the
                express written authority of, the original manufacturer or current
                design activity to buy, stock, repackage, sell, or distribute the
                part.
                 ``Contract manufacturer'' means a company that produces goods
                under contract for another company under the label or brand name of
                that company.
                 ``Contractor-approved supplier'' means a supplier that does not
                have a contractual agreement with the original component
                manufacturer, but has been qualified by the contractor or
                subcontractor approved by the contractor or government as having met
                prescribed counterfeit electronic part detection and avoidance
                system criteria using established counterfeit prevention industry
                standards and processes.
                 ``Counterfeit electronic part'' means an unlawful or
                unauthorized reproduction, substitution, or alteration that has been
                knowingly mismarked, misidentified, or otherwise misrepresented to
                be an authentic, unmodified electronic part from the original
                manufacturer, or a source with the express written authority of the
                original manufacturer or current design activity, including an
                authorized aftermarket manufacturer. Unlawful or unauthorized
                substitution includes used electronic parts represented as new, or
                the false identification of grade, serial number, lot number, date
                code, or performance characteristics.
                 ``Electronic part'' means a discrete electronic component,
                including a microcircuit, transistor, capacitor, resistor, or diode,
                that is intended for use in a safety or mission critical application
                (section 823 (d)(2) of Pub L. 115-10).
                 ``Original component manufacturer'' means an organization that
                designs and/or engineers a part and is entitled to any intellectual
                property rights to that part.
                 ``Original equipment manufacturer'' means a company that
                manufactures products that it has designed from purchased components
                and sells those products under the company's brand name.
                 ``Original manufacturer'' means the original component
                manufacturer, the original equipment manufacturer, or the contract
                manufacturer.
                 ``Suspect counterfeit electronic part'' means an electronic part
                for which credible evidence (including, but not limited to, visual
                inspection or testing) provides reasonable doubt that the electronic
                part is authentic.
                 (b) Sources of electronics parts. In accordance with section
                823(c)(3), the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Pub. L.
                115-10), the covered contractor shall--
                 (1) Obtain electronic parts that are in production by the
                original manufacturer or an authorized aftermarket manufacturer or
                currently available in stock from--
                 (i) The original manufacturers of the parts;
                 (ii) Their authorized dealers; or
                 (iii) Suppliers who obtain such parts exclusively from the
                original manufacturers of the parts or their authorized dealers;
                 (2) If electronic parts are not in production or currently
                available in stock from suppliers as stated in paragraph (b) of this
                clause, the covered contractor shall obtain electronic parts from
                NASA identified suppliers or contractor-approved suppliers for
                which--
                 (i) The covered contractor assumes responsibility for the
                authenticity of parts; and
                 (ii) The covered contractor performs inspection, testing and
                authentication of parts; and
                 (iii) The covered contractor obtains traceability information
                for the electronic parts (e.g., data code, lot code, serial number)
                and provides this information to the contracting officer upon
                request; and
                 (iv) The selection of contractor-approved suppliers is subject
                to review and audit by the contracting officer.
                 (c) Notification. The covered contractor, including
                subcontractors, shall notify the NASA contracting officer in writing
                not later
                [[Page 52929]]
                than 30 calendar days after the date the covered contractor becomes
                aware, or has reason to suspect, that any end item, component, part
                or material contained in supplies purchased by NASA, or purchased by
                a covered contractor or subcontractor for delivery to, or on behalf
                of, NASA, contains a counterfeit electronic part or suspect
                counterfeit electronic part.
                 (d) Costs related to counterfeit electronic parts and suspect
                counterfeit electronic parts. In accordance with section
                823(c)(2)(B), the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Pub. L.
                115-10), the costs of counterfeit electronic parts and suspect
                counterfeit electronic parts and the costs of rework or corrective
                action that may be required to remedy the use or inclusion of such
                parts are unallowable, unless--
                 (1) The covered contractor has a system to detect and avoid
                counterfeit electronic parts and suspect counterfeit electronic
                parts that has been reviewed and approved by NASA or the Department
                of Defense pursuant to 48 CFR 244.303; and
                 (2) The covered contractor, including a subcontractor, notifies
                the applicable NASA contracting officer in writing in accordance
                with paragraph (c) of this clause; or
                 (3) The counterfeit electronic parts or suspect counterfeit
                electronic parts were provided to the covered contractor as
                Government property in accordance with part 45 of the Federal
                Acquisition Regulation.
                 (e) Subcontracts. The covered contractor shall insert this
                clause, including this paragraph (e), in subcontracts for--
                 (1) Electronic parts;
                 (2) End items, components, parts, or assemblies containing
                electronic parts; or
                 (3) Services where the covered contractor will supply electronic
                parts or components, parts, or assemblies containing electronic
                parts as part of the service, including subcontracts for commercial
                items that are for electronic parts or assemblies containing
                electronic parts, unless the subcontractor is the original
                manufacturer. The covered contractor shall not alter the clause
                other than to identify appropriate parties.
                 (f) Corrective Action. In the event that the covered contractor
                supplies a counterfeit electronic part, suspect counterfeit
                electronic part or end item, component, or assembly containing a
                counterfeit electronic part to NASA, the covered contractor shall
                take such corrective actions as the Administrator considers
                necessary to remedy the use or inclusion of additional counterfeit
                electronic parts, suspect counterfeit electronic part or end items,
                components, or assemblies containing a counterfeit electronic part.
                 (End of clause)
                [FR Doc. 2020-16986 Filed 8-26-20; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 7510-13-P
                

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