2016-30669. Information Collection Requirement; Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS); Service Contracting

AGENCY:

Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments regarding a proposed extension of an approved information collection requirement.

SUMMARY:

DoD announces the proposed extension of a public information collection requirement and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved this information collection for use through March 31, 2017. DoD proposes that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

DATES:

DoD will consider all comments received by February 21, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by OMB Control Number 0704-0231, using any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Email: [e-mail]. Include OMB Control Number 0704-0231 in the subject line of the message.

Fax: [phone].

Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Lee Renna, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DARS), 3060 Defense Pentagon, Room 3B941, Washington, DC 20301-3060.

Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Lee Renna, at 571-372-6095. The information collection requirements addressed in this notice are available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.acq.osd.mil/​dpap/​dars/​dfarspgi/​current/​index.html. Paper copies are available from Ms. Lee Renna, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DARS), 3060 Defense Pentagon, Room 3B941, Washington, DC 20301-3060.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), DoD invites comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of DoD, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) The accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Title and OMB Number: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Part 237, Service Contracting, associated DFARS Clauses at DFARS 252.237, and DD Form 2063, Record of Preparation and Disposition of Remains (Within CONUS); OMB Control Number 0704-0231.

Needs and Uses: This information collection is used for the following purposes—

• DFARS 252.237-7000(c)—to verify that the offeror is properly licensed in the state or other political jurisdiction where the offeror operates its professional practice.
• DFARS 252.237-7011 and DD Form 2063, Record of Preparation and Disposition of Remains (Within CONUS)—to verify that the deceased's remains have been properly cared by the mortuary contractor.
• DFARS 252.237-7024—this written plan, submitted concurrently with the proposal or offer, allows the contracting officer to assess the offeror's capability to continue providing contractually required services to support the DoD component's mission essential functions in an emergency.
• DFARS 252.237-7023—allows the contracting officer to provide approval of updates to the contractor's plan, provided under 252.237-7024, to ensure that the contractor can continue to provide services in support of the DoD component's required mission essential functions in an emergency.

Affected Public: Businesses and other for-profit and not-for profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 2,637.

Responses per Respondent: 1.3, approximately.

Annual Responses: 3,519.

Average Burden per Response: 1.6, approximately.

Annual Burden Hours: 5,801.

Reporting Frequency: On occasion.

Summary of Information Collection

DFARS 237.270 prescribes the use of the provision at DFARS 252.237-7000, Notice of Special Standards, in solicitations for the acquisition of audit services. The provision requires the apparently successful offeror to submit evidence that it is properly licensed in the state or political jurisdiction it operates its professional practice.

DFARS 237.7003 prescribes the use of the clause at 252.237-7011, Preparation History, in all mortuary service solicitations and contracts. The information collected is used to verify that the remains have been properly cared for and the DD Form 2063 is generally used for this purpose.

DFARS 237.7603(b) prescribes the use of the provision at 252.237-7024, Notice of Continuation of Essential Contractor Services, in solicitations that require the acquisition of services to support a mission essential function. The provision requires the offeror to submit a written plan demonstrating its capability to continue to provide the contractually required services to support a DoD component's mission essential functions in an emergency.

DFARS 237.7603(a) prescribes the use of the clause at DFARS 252.237-7023, Continuation of Essential Contractor Services, in solicitations and contracts for services in support of mission essential functions. The clause requires the contractor to maintain and update its written plan as necessary to ensure that it can continue to provide services to support the DoD component's mission essential functions in an emergency.

Jennifer L. Hawes,

Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.