05-3207. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Acquisition of Telecommunications Services

AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Proposed rule with request for comments.

SUMMARY:

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update text pertaining to the acquisition of telecommunications services. This proposed rule is a result of a transformation initiative undertaken by DoD to dramatically change the purpose and content of the DFARS.

DATES:

Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before April 25, 2005, to be considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by DFARS Case 2003-D055, using any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Defense Acquisition Regulations Web Site: http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/​dar/​dfars.nsf/​pubcomm. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: [e-mail]. Include DFARS Case 2003-D055 in the subject line of the message.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Mr. Bill Sain, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Crystal Square 4, Suite 200A, 241 18th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-3402.

All comments received will be posted to http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/​dar/​dfars.nsf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Bill Sain, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

DFARS Transformation is a major DoD initiative to dramatically change the purpose and content of the DFARS. The objective is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the acquisition process, while allowing the acquisition workforce the flexibility to innovate. The transformed DFARS will contain only requirements of law, DoD-wide policies, delegations of FAR authorities, deviations from FAR requirements, and policies/procedures that have a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of DoD or a significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors. Additional information on the DFARS Transformation initiative is available at http://www.acq.osd.mil/​dpap/​dfars/​transf.htm.

This proposed rule is a result of the DFARS Transformation initiative. The proposed changes—

• Amend DFARS 239.7401 to update terminology for consistency with the terminology used in the clause at DFARS 252.239-7016; and
• Revise DFARS 239.7405 to delete obsolete text and to add text addressing DoD's authority to enter into contracts for telecommunications services.

This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

DoD does not expect this 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., because the proposed rule makes no significant change to policy for the acquisition of telecommunications services. Therefore, DoD has not performed an initial regulatory flexibility analysis. DoD invites comments from small businesses and other interested parties. DoD also will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected DFARS subpart in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case 2003-D055.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the rule does not impose any 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 239

• Government procurement

Michele P. Peterson,

Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

Therefore, DoD proposes to amend 48 CFR part 239 as follows:

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 239 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR chapter 1.

PART 239—ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

239.7401

[Amended]

2. Section 239.7401 is amended in paragraph (e) by removing “Security,” and adding in its place “Securing,.”

3. Section 239.7405 is revised to read as follows:

239.7405

Delegated authority for telecommunications resources.

The contracting officer may enter into a telecommunications service contract on a month-to-month basis or for any longer period or series of periods, not to exceed a total of 10 years. See PGI 239.7405 for documents relating to this contracting authority, which the General Services Administration has delegated to DoD.