98-16113. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Availability of Specifications  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 119 (Monday, June 22, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 34062-34063]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-16113]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
    
    GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
    
    NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
    
    48 CFR Parts 9, 11, and 52
    
    [FAC 97-05; FAR Case 97-034; Item II]
    RIN 9000-AI00
    
    
    Federal Acquisition Regulation; Availability of Specifications
    
    AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration 
    (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
    Acquisition Regulations Council have agreed on a final rule amending 
    the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to update information 
    regarding the availability of specifications, standards, and item 
    descriptions cited in Government solicitations and contracts. This 
    regulatory action was not subject to Office of Management and Budget 
    review under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993, and is 
    not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: August 21, 1998.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS 
    Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information 
    pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of 
    content, contact Mr. Ralph DeStefano, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 
    501-1758. Please cite FAC 97-05, FAR case 97-034.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    A. Background
    
        This final rule amends FAR Parts 9 and 11 and the provisions at 
    52.211-1, 52.211-2, and 52.212-1 to update information regarding the 
    availability of specifications, standards, and item descriptions that 
    may be cited in Government solicitations and contracts. New 
    organization names, addresses, and telephone numbers, and a new method 
    of obtaining information on the World Wide Web have been added. In 
    addition, the rule clarifies the pricing policy regarding 
    specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions issued by 
    GSA.
    
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        The final rule does not constitute a significant FAR revision 
    within the meaning of FAR 1.501 and Pub. L. 98-577, and publication for 
    public comments is not required. However, comments from small entities 
    concerning the affected FAR subparts will be considered in accordance 
    with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments must be submitted separately and 
    should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 97-05, FAR case 97-034), in 
    correspondence.
    
    C. Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
    the FAR do not impose recordkeeping or information collection 
    requirements, or collections of information from offerors, contractors, 
    or members of the public which require the approval of the Office of 
    Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
    
    List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 9, 11, and 52
    
        Government procurement.
    
        Dated: June 11, 1998.
    Edward C. Loeb,
    Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division.
    
        Therefore, 48 CFR Parts 9, 11, and 52 are amended as set forth 
    below:
        1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Parts 9, 11, and 52 continues 
    to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 
    U.S.C. 2473(c).
    
    PART 9--CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS
    
        2. Section 9.203 is amended by revising paragraphs (c)(1) and (d) 
    to read as follows:
    
    
    9.203  QPL's, QML's, and QBL's.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
        (1) Federal Standardization Manual, FSPM-0001.
    * * * * *
        (d) The publications listed in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
    section are sold to the public. The publications in paragraphs (b)(1) 
    and (c)(1) of this section may be obtained from the addressee in 
    11.201(d)(1). The publications in paragraphs (b)(2) and (c)(2) of this 
    section may be obtained from the addressee in 11.201(d)(2).
    
    PART 11--DESCRIBING AGENCY NEEDS
    
        3. Section 11.102 is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    11.102  Standardization program.
    
        Agencies shall select existing requirements documents or develop 
    new requirements documents that meet the needs of the agency in 
    accordance
    
    [[Page 34063]]
    
    with the guidance contained in the Federal Standardization Manual, 
    FSPM-0001, and, for DoD components, DoD 4120.3-M, Defense 
    Standardization Program Policies and Procedures. The Federal 
    Standardization Manual may be obtained from the General Services 
    Administration (see address in 11.201(d)(1)). DoD 4120.3-M may be 
    obtained from DoD (see address in 11.201(d)(2)).
        4. Section 11.201 is amended by revising paragraph (d) and the 
    first sentence of paragraph (e) to read as follows:
    
    
    11.201  Identification and availability of specifications.
    
    * * * * *
        (d)(1) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and 
    Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, may be purchased from 
    the--General Services Administration, Federal Supply Service, 
    Specifications Section, Suite 8100, 470 East L'Enfant Plaza, SW, 
    Washington, DC 20407, Telephone (202) 619-8925.
        (2) The DoDISS may be purchased from the--Department of Defense 
    Single Stock Point (DoDSSP), Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, 
    Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697-2667/2179.
        (e) Agencies may generally obtain from the GSA Specifications 
    Section or DoDSSP those nongovernment (voluntary) standards adopted for 
    use by Federal or Defense activities. * * *
        5. Section 11.204 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) and (b) to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    11.204  Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.
    
        (a) The contracting officer shall insert the provision at 52.211-1, 
    Availability of Specifications Listed in the GSA Index of Federal 
    Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 
    101-29, in solicitations that cite specifications listed in the Index 
    that are not furnished with the solicitation.
        (b) The contracting officer shall insert the provision at 52.211-2, 
    Availability of Specifications Listed in the DoD Index of 
    Specifications and Standards (DoDISS) and Descriptions Listed in the 
    Acquisition Management Systems and Data Requirements Control List, DoD 
    5010.12-L, in solicitations that cite specifications listed in the 
    DoDISS or DoD 5010.12-L that are not furnished with the solicitation.
    * * * * *
    
    PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
    
        6. Sections 52.211-1 and 52.211-2 are revised to read as follows:
    
    
    52.211-1  Availability of Specifications Listed in the GSA Index of 
    Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, 
    FPMR Part 101-29.
    
        As prescribed in 11.204(a), insert the following provision:
    
    AVAILABILITY OF SPECIFICATIONS LISTED IN THE GSA INDEX OF FEDERAL 
    SPECIFICATIONS, STANDARDS AND COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTIONS, FPMR PART 
    101-29 (AUG 1998)
    
        (a) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and 
    Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of 
    specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in 
    this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request 
    to--GSA Federal Supply Service, Specifications Section, Suite 8100, 
    470 East L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20407, Telephone (202) 
    619-8925, Facsimile (202) 619-8978.
        (b) If the General Services Administration, Department of 
    Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this 
    solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and 
    commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be 
    obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in 
    paragraph (a) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued 
    for a fee.
    
    (End of provision)
    
    
    52.211-2  Availability of Specifications Listed in the DoD Index of 
    Specifications and Standards (DoDISS) and Descriptions Listed in the 
    Acquisition Management Systems and Data Requirements Control List, DoD 
    5010.12-L.
    
        As prescribed in 11.204(b), insert the following provision:
    
    AVAILABILITY OF SPECIFICATIONS LISTED IN THE DOD INDEX OF 
    SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS (DODISS) AND DESCRIPTIONS LISTED IN THE 
    ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND DATA REQUIREMENTS CONTROL LIST, DOD 
    5010.12-L (AUG 1998)
    
        (a) Copies of specifications, standards, and data item 
    descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by 
    submitting a request to the--Department of Defense Single Stock 
    Point (DoDSSP), Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, 
    Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697-2667/2179, 
    Facsimile (215) 697-1462.
        (b) Order forms, pricing information, and customer support 
    information may be obtained--
        (1) By telephone at (215) 697-2667/2179; or
        (2) Through the DoDSSP Internet site at http://
    www.dodssp.daps.mil.
    
    (End of provision)
    
        7. Section 52.212-1 is amended by revising the date of the 
    provision and paragraph (i) to read as follows:
    
    
    52.212-1  Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items.
    
    * * * * *
    
    INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (AUG 1998)
    
    * * * * *
        (i) Availability of requirements documents cited in the 
    solicitation. (1)(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, 
    Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and 
    copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item 
    descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by 
    submitting a request to--GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications 
    Section, Suite 8100, 470 East L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 
    20407, Telephone (202) 619-8925, Facsimile (202) 619-8978.
        (ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of 
    Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this 
    solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and 
    commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be 
    obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in 
    paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be 
    issued for a fee.
        (2) The DoD Index of Specifications and Standards (DoDISS) and 
    documents listed in it may be obtained from the--Department of 
    Defense Single Stock Point (DoDSSP), Building 4, Section D, 700 
    Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697-
    2667/2179, Facsimile (215) 697-1462.
        (i) Automatic distribution may be obtained on a subscription 
    basis.
        (ii) Order forms, pricing information, and customer support 
    information may be obtained--
        (A) By telephone at (215) 697-2667/2179; or
        (B) Through the DoDSSP Internet site at http://
    www.dodssp.daps.mil.
        (3) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from 
    the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or 
    maintenance.
    * * * * *
    
    (End of provision)
    
    [FR Doc. 98-16113 Filed 6-19-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/22/1998
Department:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-16113
Dates:
August 21, 1998.
Pages:
34062-34063 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FAC 97-05, FAR Case 97-034, Item II
RINs:
9000-AI00
PDF File:
98-16113.pdf
CFR: (3)
48 CFR 9
48 CFR 11
48 CFR 52