99-24361. Revisions to the NASA FAR Supplement on Brand Name or Equal Procedures  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 21, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 51078-51079]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-24361]
    
    
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    NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
    
    48 CFR Parts 1811, 1812, 1813, 1815, 1816, 1837, 1842, 1847, and 
    1852
    
    
    Revisions to the NASA FAR Supplement on Brand Name or Equal 
    Procedures
    
    AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This final rule amends the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to remove 
    brand name or equal guidance no longer necessary as a result of FAR 
    changes contained in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 97-12. This 
    rule also makes editorial corrections and miscellaneous changes dealing 
    with NASA internal and administrative matters.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: September 21, 1999.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James H. Dolvin, NASA Headquarters, 
    Office of Procurement, Contract Management Division (Code HK), 
    Washington, DC 20546, (202) 358-1279, e-mail: 
    jdolvin1@mail.hq.nasa.gov.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    A. Background
    
        FAC 97-12, dated June 17, 1999, contains guidance for use of brand 
    name or equal procedures at FAR 11.4, Use of brand name or equal 
    purchase descriptions, and a corresponding solicitation provision at 
    FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal. The NASA FAR Supplement already has 
    almost identical guidance at 1811.104-70, Brand name or equal purchase 
    descriptions, and a solicitation provision at 1852.211-70, Brand Name 
    or Equal. Because of this resulting duplication, the NFS coverage in 
    Parts 1811 and 1852 is being removed in its entirety. Other editorial 
    changes unrelated to brand name or equal guidance are made to: correct 
    clause and referenced document titles; correct listing of clauses 
    authorized for use in acquisition of commercial items; update the 
    agency program coordinator for the Governmentwide commercial purchase 
    card; allow electronic submission of RFPs for Headquarters review; and 
    correct the numbering within Section 1842.202.
    
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        This rule does not constitute a significant revision within the 
    meaning of FAR 1.501 and Public Law 98-577, and publication for public 
    comment is not required. However, comments from small entities 
    concerning the affected NFS subparts will be considered in accordance 
    with 5 U.S.C. 601. Such comments must be submitted separately and 
    should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.
    
    C. Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
    the NFS does 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 1811, 1812, 1813, 1815, 1816, 
    1837, 1842, 1847, and 1852
    
        Government procurement.
    Tom Luedtke,
    Associate Administrator for Procurement.
    
        Accordingly, 48 CFR Parts 1811, 1812, 1813, 1815, 1816, 1837, 1842, 
    1847, and 1852 are amended as follows:
        1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Parts 1811, 1812, 1813, 1815, 
    1816, 1837, 1842, 1847, and 1852 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2473(c)(1)
    
    PART 1811--DESCRIBING AGENCY NEEDS
    
        2. Subpart 1811.1 is removed.
    
    PART 1812--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS
    
        3. In section 1812.301, paragraph (f)(i)(J) is removed, and the 
    designated paragraph (f)(i)(K) is redesignated as (f)(i)(J), and 
    paragraph (f)(i)(E) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    1812.301  Solicitation provisions and contract clauses for the 
    acquisition of commercial items.
    
        (f)(i) * * *
        (E) 1852.219-76, NASA 8 Percent Goal.
    
    [[Page 51079]]
    
    PART 1813--SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES
    
        4-5. In section 1813.301-73, paragraph (a) is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    1813.301-73  Program officials.
    
        (a) The Langley Research Center, Office of Procurement (Code AG), 
    is the agency program coordinator.
    * * * * *
    
    PART 1815--CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION
    
        6. Section 1815.203-71 is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1815.203-71  Headquarters reviews.
    
        For RFPs requiring Headquarters review and approval, the 
    procurement officer shall submit an electronic copy of the RFP to the 
    Associate Administrator for Procurement (Code HS). Any significant 
    information relating to the RFP or the planned evaluation methodology 
    omitted from the RFP itself should also be provided.
    
    PART 1816--TYPES OF CONTRACTS
    
        7. In section 1816.505, paragraph (b)(4) is redesignated as 
    paragraph (b)(6).
        8. In section 1816.506-70, the reference ``(See NHB 9501.2)'' is 
    revised to read ``(see NPG 9501.2, NASA Contractor Financial Management 
    Reporting System)''.
    
    PART 1837--SERVICE CONTRACTING
    
        9. In section 1837.203, the reference ``(see NMI 3304.1, Employment 
    of Experts and Consultants)'' is revised to read ``(see NPD 3000.1, 
    Management of Human Resources)''.
    
    PART 1842--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT SERVICES
    
        10. In section 1842.202, paragraph (b)(1) is redesignated as 
    (b)(i).
    
    PART 1847--TRANSPORTATION
    
        11. Section 1847.200-70 is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    1847.200-70  Charter of aircraft.
    
        When acquiring aircraft by charter, contracting officers shall 
    comply with NPG 7900.3, Aircraft Operations Management.
    
    PART 1852--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
    
        12. Section 1852.211-70 is removed.
    
    [FR Doc. 99-24361 Filed 9-20-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 7510-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
9/21/1999
Published:
09/21/1999
Department:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
99-24361
Dates:
September 21, 1999.
Pages:
51078-51079 (2 pages)
PDF File:
99-24361.pdf
CFR: (1)
48 CFR 1815.203-71