-
Start Preamble
AGENCIES:
Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION:
Final rule.
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 clarify the applicability of FAR definitions to solicitation provisions and contract clauses.
DATES:
Effective Date: July 19, 2004.
Start Further InfoFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The FAR Secretariat at (202) 501-4755 for information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of content, contact Ms. Jeritta Parnell, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-4082. Please cite FAC 2001-24, FAR case 2002-013.
End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental InformationSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
This final rule amends the FAR to delete the list of definitions from the clause at FAR 52.202-1 and to replace the list with general policy regarding the applicability of FAR definitions to solicitation provisions and contract clauses.
DoD, GSA, and NASA published a proposed rule in the Federal Register at 69 FR 2988, January 21, 2004. Three comments were received from one respondent. The first two comments requested clarification as to whether the second and third sentences of FAR 2.201 and Alternate I of the clause at FAR 52.202-1 are being deleted. This text has been deleted, and the proposed and final rules reflect this. The third comment suggested correcting the Web address in FAR 52.202-1. We agree. The Web address has been changed. The proposed rule has been converted to a final rule with this change and other minor editorial changes.
This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not subject to 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 Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration certify 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 principle of how definitions apply is already expressed in FAR Part 2. Since this principle is not as clearly expressed in the FAR Part 52 clauses, the rule repeats the principle in a clause to clarify this issue for offerors and contractors.
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.
Start List of SubjectsList of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 2 and 52
- Government procurement
Dated: June 10, 2004.
Ralph J. De Stefano,
Acting Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 2 and 52 as set forth below:
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Part1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 2 and 52 is revised to read as follows:
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 2—DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS
End Part Start Amendment Part2. Revise section 2.201 to read as follows:
End Amendment PartContract clause.Insert the clause at 52.202-1, Definitions, in solicitations and contracts that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.
PART 52—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
End Part Start Amendment Part3. Revise section 52.202-1 to read as follows:
End Amendment PartDefinitions.As prescribed in 2.201, insert the following clause:
Definitions (Jul 2004)
(a) When a solicitation provision or contract clause uses a word or term that is defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the word or term has the same meaning as the definition in FAR 2.101 in effect at the time the solicitation was issued, unless—
(1) The solicitation, or amended solicitation, provides a different definition;
(2) The contracting parties agree to a different definition;
(3) The part, subpart, or section of the FAR where the provision or clause is prescribed provides a different meaning; or
(4) The word or term is defined in FAR Part 31, for use in the cost principles and procedures.
(b) The FAR Index is a guide to words and terms the FAR defines and shows where each Start Printed Page 34229definition is located. The FAR Index is available via the Internet at http://www.acqnet.gov at the end of the FAR, after the FAR Appendix.
(End of clause)
[Amended]4. Amend section 52.213-4 by removing “(May 2004)” from the clause heading and from paragraph (a)(2)(vi) of the clause and adding “(Jul 2004)” in their place.
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Part5. In section 52.244-6, revise the date of the clause; and in paragraph (a) of the clause revise the definition “Commercial item” to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubcontracts for Commercial Items.* * * * *Subcontracts for Commercial Items (Jul 2004)
(a) * * *
Commercial item has the meaning contained in Federal Acquisition Regulation 2.101, Definitions.
* * * * *[FR Doc. 04-13619 Filed 6-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P
Document Information
- Published:
- 06/18/2004
- Department:
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Entry Type:
- Rule
- Action:
- Final rule.
- Document Number:
- 04-13619
- Pages:
- 34228-34229 (2 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- FAC 2001-24, FAR Case 2002-013, Item II
- RINs:
- 9000-AJ83
- Topics:
- Government procurement
- PDF File:
- 04-13619.pdf
- CFR: (4)
- 48 CFR 2.201
- 48 CFR 52.202-1
- 48 CFR 52.213-4
- 48 CFR 52.244-6