96-20012. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Two-Phase Design Build Selection Procedures  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 7, 1996)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 41212-41213]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-20012]
    
    
    
    [[Page 41211]]
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    Part II
    
    Department of Defense
    
    General Services Administration
    
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    48 CFR Part 1 et al.
    
    
    
    Federal Acquisition Regulations: Two-Phase Design Build Selection 
    Procedures; Requirement for Certified Cost or Pricing Data, Exception; 
    Proposed Rules
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 7, 1996 / 
    Proposed Rules
    
    [[Page 41212]]
    
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
    
    GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
    
    NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
    
    48 CFR Parts 1, 5, 14 and 36 -
    
    [FAR Case 96-305]-
    RIN 9000 AH17
    
    
    Federal Acquisition Regulation; Two-Phase Design Build Selection 
    Procedures
    
    AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration 
    (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
    
    ACTION: Proposed rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
    Acquisition Regulations Council are proposing to amend the Federal 
    Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Section 4105 of the Fiscal 
    Year 1996 Defense Authorization Act which authorizes the use of two-
    phase design-build construction procedures. This regulatory action was 
    not subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive 
    Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993. This is not a major rule under 5 
    U.S.C. 804.
    
    DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before October 7, 1996, to be 
    considered in the formulation of a final rule.
    
    ADDRESSES: Interested parties should submit written comments to: 
    General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VRS), 18th & F 
    Streets, NW, Room 4037,-Washington, DC 20405.
        Please cite FAR case 96-305 in all correspondence related to this 
    case.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jack O'Neill at (202) 501-3856 in 
    reference to this FAR case. For general information, contact the FAR 
    Secretariat, Room 4037, GS Building, Washington, DC 20405 (202) 501-
    4755. Please cite FAR case 96-305.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    A. Background-
    
        This proposed rule amends FAR Part 36 to implement Section 4105 of 
    the Fiscal Year 1996 Defense Authorization Act. Section 4105 adds 
    Section 2305a of Title 10 U.S.C. and Section 303M of the Federal 
    Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 253m). 
    Comments were received in response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
    that was published on February 21, 1996 (61 FR 6760). The proposed rule 
    details considerations that would be used by a contracting officer to 
    determine whether to use the two-phase design-build method and 
    describes the selection procedures. As required by the statute, the 
    proposed rule limits the number of proposals to be considered in the 
    second phase to no more than five, unless the agency determines that a 
    greater number is in the Government's interest and is consistent with 
    the purposes and objectives of two-phase design-build contracting.
    
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act-
    
        The proposed changes may 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 rule 
    reduces the cost of proposal preparation for those offerors not 
    selected for Phase Two. An Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
    (IRFA) has, therefore, been prepared. A copy of the IRFA will be 
    provided to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
    Administration. A copy of the IRFA may be obtained from the FAR 
    Secretariat. Comments from small entities concerning the affected 
    subpart will be considered in accordance with Section 610 of the Act. 
    Such comments must be submitted separately and cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et 
    seq., (FAR Case 96-305) in correspondence.
    
    C. Paperwork Reduction Act-
    
        The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the proposed 
    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 1, 5, 14 and 36
    
        Government procurement.
    
        Dated: July 31, 1996.
    Edward C. Loeb,
    Director, Federal Acquisition Division.-
    
        Therefore, it is proposed that 48 CFR Parts 1, 5, 14 and 36 be 
    amended as set forth below:
        1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Parts 1, 5, 14 and 36 
    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 1-FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM
    
    
    1.106  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 1.106 is amended by revising the entry for ``36.302'' in 
    the OMB approval table to read ``36.213-2''.
    
    PART 5-PUBLICIZING CONTRACT ACTIONS
    
        3. Section 5.204 is amended by revising the first sentence to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    5.204  Presolicitation notices.
    
        Contracting officers shall publicize presolicitation notices in the 
    CBD (see 15.404 and 36.213-2). * * *
    
    PART 14--SEALED BIDDING
    
    
    14.202-1  [Amended]
    
        4. Section 14.202-1 is amended by revising the parenthetical 
    following the first sentence in paragraph (a) to read ``(For 
    construction contracts, see 36.213-3(a).)''
        5. Section 14.211 is amended by revising the first sentence of 
    paragraph (a) to read as follows:
    
    
    14.211  Release of acquisition information.
    
        (a) Before solicitation. Information concerning proposed 
    acquisitions shall not be released outside the Government before 
    solicitation except for presolicitation notices in accordance with 
    14.205-4(c) or 36.213-2, or longrange acquisition estimates in 
    accordance with 5.404, or synopses in accordance with 5.201. * * *
    * * * * *
    
    PART 36--CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS
    
        6. Section 36.102 is amended by adding, in alphabetical order, the 
    definitions ``Design,'' ``Design-bid-build,'' ``Design-build'' and 
    ``Two-phase Design-build'' to read as follows:
    
    
    36.102  Definitions.
    
    * * * * *
        Design, as used in this part, means defining the construction 
    requirement (including the functional relationships and technical 
    systems to be used, such as architectural, environmental, structural, 
    electrical, mechanical, and fire protection), producing the technical 
    specifications and drawings, and preparing the construction cost 
    estimate.
        Design-bid-build, as used in this part, means the traditional 
    method of construction contracting, where design and construction are 
    sequential and contracted for separately with two contracts and two 
    contractors.-
    
    [[Page 41213]]
    
        Design-build, as used in this part, means combining design and 
    construction in a single contract with one contractor.
    * * * * *
        Two-phase design-build, as used in this part, is one type of 
    design-build construction contracting in which a limited number of 
    offerors (normally five or fewer) is selected during Phase One to 
    submit detailed proposals for Phase Two (See subpart 36.3).
        7. Section 36.104 is added to read as follows:
    
    
    36.104  Policy.
    
        (a) Contracting officers are authorized to use any of the following 
    methods, as appropriate, when contracting for construction:-
        (1) Design-bid-build;
        (2) Design-build, including----
        (i) Two-phase design-build, as authorized by 10 U.S.C. 2305a and 41 
    U.S.C. 253m (see subpart 36.3);
        (ii) For DOD, the design-build process described in 10 U.S.C. 
    2862;--
        (3) Any other acquisition process authorized by law.
        (b) When awarding contracts using the methods in paragraph (a) of 
    this section, contracting officers may use the procedures established 
    in this and other parts, including parts 14 and 15.
    
    
    36.213  Special procedures for sealed bidding in construction 
    contracting.
    
        8. A new section heading for 36.213 is added to read as set forth 
    above.
    
    
    36.213-1 through 36.213-4  [Redesignated from 36.301 through 36.304]
    
        9. 36.301 through 36.304 are redesignated as 36.213-1 through 
    36.213-4 respectively.
    
    
    36.214  Special procedures for price negotiation in construction 
    contracting.
    
        10. 36.402 is redesignated as 36.214 and the heading is revised to 
    read as set forth above.
    
    
    36.215  Special procedures for cost-reimbursement contracts for 
    construction.
    
        11. 36.403 is redesignated 36.215 and the heading is revised to 
    read as set forth above.
    
    Subpart 36.3-Two-phase Design-build Contracting for Construction 
    [Revised]
    
        12. Subpart 36.3 is revised to read as follows:
    Subpart 36.3--Two-Phase Design-Build Contracting for Construction.
    Sec.
    36.300  Scope of subpart.
    36.301  Use of two-phase design-build method.
    36.302  Scope of work.
    36.303  Procedures.
    36.303-1  Phase one.
    36.303-2  Phase two.
    
    
    36.300  Scope of subpart.
    
        This subpart prescribes policies and procedures for the use of the 
    two-phase design-build method for construction contracting authorized 
    by 10 U.S.C. 2305a and 41 U.S.C. 253m.
    
    
    36.301  Use of two-phase design-build method.
    
        (a) During formal or informal acquisition planning (see part 7), if 
    considering the use of two-phase design-build, the contracting officer 
    shall conduct the evaluation in paragraph (b) of this section.
        (b) The two-phase design-build method shall be used when the 
    contracting officer determines that this method is appropriate, based 
    on the following----
        (1) Three or more offers are anticipated;
        (2) A substantial amount of design work will be performed by 
    offerors before developing price or cost proposals, that may result in 
    offerors incurring substantial expenses in preparing offers; and--
        (3) The following criteria have been considered:--
        (i) The extent to which the project requirements have been 
    adequately defined;
        (ii) The time constraints for delivery of the project;-
        (iii) The capability and experience of potential contractors;--
        (iv) The suitability of the project for use of the two-phase 
    selection procedures;
        (v) The capability of the agency to manage the two-phase selection 
    process; and
        (vi) Other criteria established by the head of the contracting 
    activity.
    
    
    36.302  Scope of work.
    
        The agency shall develop, either in-house or by contract, a scope 
    of work that defines the project and states the Government's 
    requirements. The scope of work may include criteria and preliminary 
    design, budget parameters, and schedule or delivery requirements. If 
    the agency contracts for development of the scope of work, the 
    procedures in subpart 36.6 shall be used.
    
    
    36.303  Procedures.
    
        One solicitation may be issued covering both phases, or two 
    solicitations may be issued in sequence. Proposals will be evaluated in 
    Phase One to determine which offerors will submit proposals for Phase 
    Two. One contract will be awarded using competitive negotiation.
    
    
    36.303-1  Phase one.
    
        (a) Phase One of the solicitation(s) shall include---
        (1) The scope of work;
        (2) The phase-one evaluation factors including---
        (i) Technical approach (but not detailed design or technical 
    information;--
        (ii) Specialized experience and technical competence;--
        (iii) Capability to perform;
        (iv) Past performance of the offeror's team (including the 
    architect-engineer and construction members); and
        (v) Other appropriate factors (excluding cost or price related 
    factors, which are not permitted in Phase One);
        (3) Phase-two evaluation factors; and
        (4) A statement of the maximum number of offerors that will be 
    determined to be in the competitive range and invited to submit phase-
    two proposals. The maximum number specified shall not exceed five 
    unless the contracting officer determines, for the particular 
    solicitation, that a number greater than five is in the Government's 
    interest and is consistent with the purposes and objectives of two-
    phase design-build contracting.
        (b) After evaluating phase-one proposals, the contracting officer 
    shall determine the competitive range of most highly qualified offerors 
    (not to exceed the maximum number specified in the solicitation in 
    accordance with 36.303-1(a)(4) and request that only those offerors in 
    the competitive range submit phase-two proposals. The requirement in 
    15.609 that cost or price be considered in the determination of the 
    competitive range does not apply.
    
    
    36.303-2  Phase two.
    
        Phase Two of the solicitation(s) shall:
        (a) Be prepared in accordance with part 15, including phase-two 
    evaluation factors, developed in accordance with 15.605, and
        (b) Require the submission of separate technical and price 
    proposals, that shall be evaluated separately, in accordance with part 
    15.
    
    Subject 36.4--[Removed and Reserved]
    
        13. Subpart 36.4 is removed and reserved.
    
    [FR Doc. 96-20012 Filed 8-6-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
08/07/1996
Department:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Proposed rule.
Document Number:
96-20012
Dates:
Comments should be submitted on or before October 7, 1996, to be considered in the formulation of a final rule.
Pages:
41212-41213 (2 pages)
RINs:
9000 AH17
PDF File:
96-20012.pdf
CFR: (7)
48 CFR 15.609
48 CFR 36.300
48 CFR 36.301
48 CFR 36.302
48 CFR 36.303
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