§ 810.007 - Deviations.

(a) Deviations from Federal specifications—(1) Field facility. When a deviation from a Federal specification is deemed necessary because of a specific requirement, the contracting officer will request such authority from the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Materiel Management, prior to procurement. The request will specify exactly how the facility proposes to deviate from the current specification and why the particular deviation is essential to the facility's operations. The contracting officer will be advised as to approval or disapproval of the request. If approved, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Materiel Management will, when necessary, forward the notice required by FAR 10.007(a)(4) to the General Services Administration.

(2) Marketing center. When the essential needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs are not adequately covered by an existing Federal specification, the Chief of the Marketing Division concerned will:

(i) Document the reasons why the deviation is essential, and obtain the approval of the Director, VA Marketing Center, who will report the approval to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Materiel Management.

(ii) When the required deviation affects other than packing, packaging, marking, or labeling, coordinate the required deviation with the using service in Central Office. If approved by the using service, a request for authority to deviate will be submitted to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Materiel Management through the Director, VA Marketing Center, Hines, Ill. It will specify in detail why the specific deviation is essential to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ operations and be accompanied by a copy of the using service's comments. The appropriate marketing division chief will be advised as to the approval or disapproval of the request. If approved, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Materiel Management will when necessary forward the notice required by FAR 10.007(a)(4) to the General Services Administration.