[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 146 (Monday, August 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-18288]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 1, 1994]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
48 CFR Chapter 9
Acquisition Regulation; Small Purchases and Small Disadvantaged
Business
AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department is considering a deviation from the Federal
Acquisition Regulation to facilitate, on a test basis, the award of
small purchases to small, disadvantaged business concerns. The
deviation would authorize, under certain circumstances, a purchase from
a small, disadvantaged business without securing competitive
quotations. The deviation would not continue beyond September 30, 1995,
unless it is determined to be beneficial.
DATES: Written comments should be submitted no later than August 31,
1994.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to Mr. Langston at the
address shown below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard B. Langston, Office of
Procurement and Assistance Management (HR-521.1) Department of Energy,
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-8247.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 13.104 of the Federal Acquisition
Regulation states that contracting officers shall use the small
purchase procedure deemed most suitable, efficient, and economical in
the circumstances of the acquisition. Section 13.106(b) provides for
the solicitation of a reasonable number of quotations to promote
competition to the maximum practicable extent to ensure that the
purchase is advantageous to the Government. However, section 13.106(a)
allows small purchases, of $2,500 or less, to be made without securing
competitive quotations if the contracting officer determines that award
can be made at a reasonable price. The proposed deviation would permit
this practice for those small purchases designated for award to a
small, disadvantaged business.
The Department of Energy is committed to providing maximum business
opportunities to small, disadvantaged business concerns and has
established aggressive performance goals to reflect this commitment.
This deviation would assist all small, disadvantaged businesses seeking
business with the Department. The intent of this deviation is to
streamline the small purchase process, and increase the number of small
purchase awards, for small, disadvantaged businesses.
This deviation, if approved, would be effective through September
30, 1995. Should the Department wish to continue this practice beyond
that date, it would take action to amend the Department of Energy
Acquisition Regulation.
To accomplish this, it is proposed that small purchases of $25,000
or less, for which a small, disadvantaged business source is available,
may be made using the procedures of section 13.106(a) of the Federal
Acquisition Regulation without regard to 13.106(b) or 13.106(c),
provided the award can be made at a reasonable price.
Public Comments
Interested persons are invited to participate by submitting data,
views or arguments with respect to the class deviation described in
this notice. Three copies of written comments should be submitted to
the address indicated in the ``FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT''
section of this notice. All comments received will be available for
public inspection in the DOE Reading Room, 1E-90, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20585, between the
hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
All written comments received by August 31, 1994 will be carefully
assessed and fully considered prior to approval of the class deviation.
Any person submitting information which that person believes to be
confidential and which may be exempt from public disclosure should
submit one complete copy, as well as an additional copy from which the
information claimed to be confidential has been deleted. DOE reserves
the right to determine the confidential status of the information or
data and to treat it according to its determination. DOE's generally
applicable procedures for handling information, which has been
submitted in a document and which may be exempt from public disclosure,
are set forth in 10 CFR 1004.11.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Chapter 9
Government procurement.
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 21, 1994.
Richard H. Hopf,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Assistance Management.
[FR Doc. 94-18288 Filed 7-29-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
