99-33437. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Special Simplified Procedures for Purchases of Commercial Items in Excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 247 (Monday, December 27, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 72447-72448]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-33437]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
    
    GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
    
    NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
    
    48 CFR Part 13
    
    [FAC 97-15; FAR Case 99-304; Item VIII]
    RIN 9000-AI59
    
    
    Federal Acquisition Regulation; Special Simplified Procedures for 
    Purchases of Commercial Items in Excess of the Simplified Acquisition 
    Threshold
    
    AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration 
    (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
    Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule 
    amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Section 
    806 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 
    (Pub. L. 106-65). Section 806 extends the test of the special 
    simplified procedures for purchases of commercial items greater than 
    the simplified acquisition threshold, but not exceeding $5,000,000, 
    until January 1, 2002.
    
    DATES: Effective Date: December 27, 1999.
        Applicability Date: The FAR, as amended by this rule, is applicable 
    to solicitations issued on or after December 27, 1999.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS 
    Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information 
    pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of 
    content, contact Ms. Victoria Moss, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
    4764. Please cite FAC 97-15, FAR case 99-304.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    A. Background
    
        This final rule amends FAR Subpart 13.5 to implement Section 806 of 
    the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (Pub. L. 
    106-65). Section 806 amends Section 4202(e) of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 
    1996 (Divisions D and E of Pub. L. 104-106; 110 Stat. 654; 10 U.S.C. 
    2304 note) to extend, through January 1, 2002, the expiration of the 
    test of special simplified procedures for purchases of commercial items 
    greater than the
    
    [[Page 72448]]
    
    simplified acquisition threshold, but not exceeding $5,000,000. This 
    rule also makes plain language editorial revisions.
        This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
    under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and 
    Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule under 5 
    U.S.C. 804.
    
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        The final rule does not constitute a significant FAR revision 
    within the meaning of FAR 1.501 and Public Law 98-577, and publication 
    for public comments is not required. However, the Councils will 
    consider comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR 
    subpart in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit 
    such comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 97-
    15, FAR case 99-304), in correspondence.
    
    C. Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
    the FAR do not impose 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 Part 13
    
        Government procurement.
    
        Dated: December 20, 1999.
    Edward C. Loeb,
    Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division.
    
        Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR part 13 as set forth 
    below:
    
    PART 13--SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES
    
        1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 13 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 
    U.S.C. 2473(c).
    
        2. Amend section 13.500 in paragraph (b) by removing ``shall'' and 
    adding ``must'' in its place; and by revising paragraph (d) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    13.500  General.
    
    * * * * *
        (d) The authority to issue solicitations under this subpart expires 
    on January 1, 2002. Contracting officers may award contracts after the 
    expiration of this authority for solicitations issued before the 
    expiration of the authority.
        3. Amend section 13.501 in the introductory text of paragraphs 
    (a)(1) and (b) by removing ``shall'' and adding ``must'' in their 
    place; and by revising paragraph (a)(2)(ii) to read as follows:
    
    
    13.501  Special documentation requirements.
    
        (a) * * *
        (2) * * *
        (ii) For a proposed contract exceeding $500,000, the competition 
    advocate for the procuring activity, designated pursuant to 6.501, or 
    an official described in 6.304(a)(3) or (a)(4) must approve the 
    justification and approval. This authority is not delegable.
    * * * * *
    [FR Doc. 99-33437 Filed 12-23-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
12/27/1999
Department:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
99-33437
Pages:
72447-72448 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FAC 97-15, FAR Case 99-304, Item VIII
RINs:
9000-AI59
PDF File:
99-33437.pdf
CFR: (1)
48 CFR 13