04-3705. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Competition Requirements

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 competition requirements. 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 23, 2004, to be considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES:

Respondents may submit comments on the Internet at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/​dar/​dfars.nsf/​pubcomm. As an alternative, respondents may e-mail comments to: [e-mail]. Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D017 in the subject line of e-mailed comments.

Respondents that cannot submit comments using either of the above methods may submit comments to: Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Ms. Teresa Brooks, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062; facsimile [phone]. Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D017.

At the end of the comment period, interested parties may view public comments on the Internet at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/​dar/​dfars.nsf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Teresa Brooks, [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/​dp/​dars/​transf.htm.

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

• Revision of DFARS 206.001 to clarify the text.
• Deletion of text at DFARS 206.202(b) regarding documentation needed to support a DoD determination to exclude a particular source from a contact action in order to establish or maintain an alternative source of supplies or services; and deletion of text at DFARS 206.302-2 containing examples of circumstances under which use of other than full and open competition may be appropriate due to unusual and compelling urgency. This text will be relocated to the new DFARS companion resource, Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI). A proposed rule describing the purpose and structure of PGI is published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register under DFARS Case 2003-D090, Procedures, Guidance, and Information.
• Deletion of obsolete text at DFARS 206.302-1(b)(4) and deletion of unnecessary text at DFARS 206.303-1(b) and (c) and 206.303-2.

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 DFARS changes are limited to clarifying revisions or deletion of text that is unnecessary or internal to DoD. 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 subparts in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case 2003-D017.

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 206

• Government procurement

Michele P. Peterson,

Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.

Therefore, DoD proposes to amend 48 CFR part 206 as follows:

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 206 continues to read as follows:

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

PART 206—COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS

2. Section 206.001 is revised to read as follows:

206.001

Applicability.

(a) As authorized by 10 U.S.C. 1091, contracts awarded using the procedures in 237.104(b)(ii) are exempt from the competition requirements of FAR Part 6.

3. Section 206.202 is revised to read as follows:

206.202

Establishing or maintaining alternative sources.

(a) Agencies may use this authority to totally or partially exclude a particular source from a contract action.

(b) The determination and findings (D&F) and the documentation supporting the D&F shall identify the source to be excluded from the contract action. Include the information at PGI 206.202, as applicable, and any other information that may be pertinent, in the supporting documentation.

206.302-1

[Amended]

4. Section 206.302-1 is amended by removing paragraph (b)(4).

5. Section 206.302-2 is revised to read as follows:

206.302-2

Unusual and compelling urgency.

(b) Application. For guidance on circumstances under which use of this authority may be appropriate, see PGI 206.302-2(b).

206.303-1

[Amended]

6. Section 206.303-1 is amended by removing paragraphs (b) and (c).

206.303-2

[Removed]

7. Section 206.303-2 is removed.