02-10092. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Research and Development Streamlined Contracting Procedures

AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to eliminate the requirement for posting of solicitations at the Research and Development Streamlined Solicitation Web site. Posting of solicitations at this Web site is no longer necessary, because contracting activities now make synopses and solicitations available to the public through the Governmentwide point of entry (FedBizOpps).

EFFECTIVE DATE:

April 26, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Angelena Moy, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, OUSD(AT&L)DP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telephone [phone]; facsimile [phone]. Please cite DFARS Case 2001-D002.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

DFARS subpart 235.70 contains streamlined procedures for acquiring research and development using a standard solicitation and contract format. The standard format is available on the Research and Development Streamlined Solicitation (RDSS) Web site at http://www.rdss.osd.mil. This final rule revises DFARS 235.7003-2 to eliminate the requirement for posting of individual solicitations at the RDSS Web site. Contracting activities now make synopses and solicitations available to the public through the Governmentwide point of entry (FedBizOpps), in accordance with FAR 5.102 and 5.203.

DoD published a proposed rule at 66 FR 63348 on December 6, 2001. DoD received no comments on the proposed rule. Therefore, DoD is adopting the proposed rule as a final rule without change.

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 certifies that this final rule will not 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 rule does not significantly change solicitation procedures or limit public access to solicitation information.

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 235

• Government procurement

Michele P. Peterson,

Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.

Therefore, 48 CFR Part 235 is amended as follows:

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Part 235 continues to read as follows:

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

PART 235—RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING

2. Section 235.7003-2 is revised to read as follows:

235.7003-2

RDSS process.

(a) Synopsis. The synopsis required by FAR 5.203 shall include—

(1) The information required by FAR 5.207; and

(2) A statement that the solicitation will be issued in the research and development streamlined solicitation format shown at the RDSS/C Web site.

(b) Solicitation.

(1) The solicitation, to be made available consistent with the requirements of FAR 5.102—

(i) Shall be in the format shown at the RDSS/C Web site;

(ii) Shall include the applicable version number of the RDSS standard format; and

(iii) Shall incorporate by reference the appropriate terms and conditions of the RDSS standard format.

(2) To encourage preparation of better cost proposals, consider allowing a delay between the due dates for technical and cost proposals.