00-19111. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Streamlined Payment Practices

AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Director of Defense Procurement has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to require use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card as the method of purchase and/or method of payment for purchases valued at or below the micro-purchase threshold, unless an exception is authorized. Use of the purchase card streamlines purchasing and payment procedures and, therefore, increases operational efficiency.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 31, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Susan L. Schneider, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, OUSD(AT&L)DP(DAR), IMD 3D139, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telephone [phone]; telefax [phone]. Please cite DFARS Case 98-D026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

This final rule amends the DFARS to require use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card as the method of purchase and/or method of payment for DoD purchases valued at or below the micro-purchase threshold of $2,500, unless an exception is authorized. The rule implements a policy memorandum issued by the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology) on October 2, 1998, Subject: Streamlined Payment Practices for Awards/Orders Valued at or below the Micro-Purchase Threshold; and a policy memorandum issued by the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) on September 25, 1998, Subject: Use of Government-Wide Purchase Cards. The October 2, 1998, memorandum is available via the Internet at http://www.acq.osd.mil/​dp/​micro2.pdf. The September 25, 1998, memorandum is available via the Internet at http://purchasecard.sarda.army.mil/​deleon.htm.

DoD published a proposed rule at 64 FR 38878 on July 20, 1999. Six sources submitted comments on the proposed rule. DoD considered all comments in the development of the final rule.

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 Governmentwide commercial purchase card is similar in nature to commercial credit cards that are commonly used in the commercial marketplace.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the final 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 Parts 208, 212, 213, 214, 215, 232, and 252

• Government procurement

Michele P. Peterson,

Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.

Therefore, 48 CFR parts 208, 212, 213, 214, 215, 232, and 252 are amended as follows:

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 208, 212, 213, 214, 215, 232, and 252 continues to read as follows:

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

PART 208—REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

2. Section 208.405-2 is amended by revising paragraph (4) to read as follows:

208.405-2

Order placement.

* * * * *

(4) If permitted under the schedule contract, use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card—

(i) Is mandatory for placement of orders valued at or below the micro-purchase threshold; and

(ii) Is optional for placement of orders valued above the micro-purchase threshold.

PART 212—ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS

3. Section 212.301 is amended by adding paragraph (f)(vi) to read as follows:

212.301

Solicitation provisions and contract clauses for the acquisition of commercial items.

* * * * *

(f) * * *

(vi) Use the clause at 252.232-7009, Mandatory Payment by Governmentwide Commercial Purchase Card, as prescribed in 232.1110.

4. Section 212.303 is added to read as follows:

212.303

Contract format.

Structure awards valued above the micro-purchase threshold (e.g., contract line items, delivery schedule, and invoice instructions) in a manner that will minimize the generation of invoices valued at or below the micro-purchase threshold.

PART 213—SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES

5. Section 213.101 is added to read as follows:

213.101

General.

Structure awards valued above the micro-purchase threshold (e.g., contract line items, delivery schedule, and invoice instructions) in a manner that will minimize the generation of invoices valued at or below the micro-purchase threshold.

6. Subpart 213.2 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 213.2—Actions at or Below the Micro-Purchase Threshold

213.270

Use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card.

213.270

Use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card.

Use the Governmentwide commercial purchase card as the method of purchase and/or method of payment for purchases valued at or below the micro-purchase threshold. This policy applies to all types of contract actions authorized by the FAR unless—

(a) The Deputy Secretary of Defense has approved an exception for an electronic commerce/electronic data interchange system or operational requirement that results in a more cost-effective payment process;

(b)(1) A general or flag officer or a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) makes a written determination that—

(i) The source or sources available for the supply or service do not accept the purchase card; and

(ii) The contracting office is seeking a source that accepts the purchase card.

(2) To prevent mission delays, if an activity does not have a resident general or flag officer of SES member, delegation of this authority to the level of the senior local commander or director is permitted; or

(c) The purchase or payment meets one or more of the following criteria:

(1) The place of performance is entirely outside of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(2) The purchase is a Standard Form 44 purchase for aviation fuel or oil.

(3) The purchase is an overseas transaction by a contracting officer in support of a contingency operation as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13) or a humanitarian or peacekeeping operation as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2302(8).

(4) The purchase is a transaction in support of intelligence or other specialized activities addressed by Part 2.7 of Executive Order 12333.

(5) The purchase is for training exercises in preparation for overseas contingency, humanitarian, or peacekeeping operations.

(6) The payment is made with an accommodation check.

(7) The payment is for a transportation bill.

(8) The purchase is under a Federal Supply Schedule contract that does not permit use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card.

(9) The purchase is for medical services and—

(i) It involves a controlled substance or narcotic;

(ii) It requires the submission of a Health Care Summary Record to document the nature of the care purchased;

(iii) The ultimate price of the medical care is subject to an independent determination that changes the price paid based on application of a mandatory CHAMPUS Maximum Allowable Charge determination that reduces the Government liability below billed charges;

(iv) The Government already has entered into a contract to pay for the services without the use of a purchase card;

(v) The purchaser is a beneficiary seeking medical care; or

(vi) The senior local commander or director of a hospital or laboratory determines that use of the purchase card is not appropriate or cost-effective. The Medical Prime Vendor Program and the DoD Medical Electronic Catalog Program are two examples where use of the purchase card may not be cost-effective.

PART 214—SEALED BIDDING

7. Section 214.201-1 is added to read as follows:

214.201-1

Uniform contract format.

Structure awards valued above the micro-purchase threshold (e.g., contract line items, delivery schedule, and invoice instructions) in a manner that will minimize the generation of invoices valued at or below the micro-purchase threshold.

PART 215—CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION

8. Section 215.204-1 is added to read as follows:

215.204-1

Uniform contract format.

Structure awards valued above the micro-purchase threshold (e.g., contract line items, delivery schedule, and invoice instructions) in a manner that will minimize the generation of invoices valued at or below the micro-purchase threshold.

PART232—CONTRACT FINANCING

9. Subpart 232.11—is added to read as follows:

Subpart 232.11-Electronic Funds Transfer

232.1108

Payment by Governmentwide commercial purchase card.

232.1110

Solicitation provision and contract clauses.

232.1108

Payment by Governmentwide commercial purchase card.

The Governmentwide commercial purchase card is the mandatory EFT payment method for purchases valued at or below the micropurchase threshold, except as provided in 213.270.

232.1110

Solicitation provision and contract clauses.

Use the clause at 252.232-7009, Mandatory Payment by Governmentwide Commercial Purchase Card, in solicitations, contracts, and agreements when—

(1) Placement of orders or calls valued at or below the micropurchase threshold is anticipated; and

(2) Payment by Governmentwide commercial purchase card is required for orders or calls valued at or below the micropurchase threshold under the contract or agreement.

PART 252—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

10. Section 252.232-7009 is added to read as follows:

252.232-7009

Mandatory Payment by Governmentwide Commercial Purchase Card.

As prescribed in 232.1110, use the following clause:

Mandatory Payment by Governmentwide Commercial Purchase Card

(JUL 2000)

The Contractor agrees to accept the Governmentwide commercial purchase card as the method of payment for orders or calls valued at or below $2,500 under this contract or agreement.

(End of clause)