[Federal Register: May 22, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 99)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 32041]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22my00-19]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

48 CFR Part 252

[DFARS Case 2000-D007]

 
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; OMB Circular 
A-73, Audit of Federal Operations and Programs

AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Acting Director of Defense Procurement has issued a final 
rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 
(DFARS) to remove the requirement for contractors to comply with Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-73 when performing audit 
services for DoD. OMB rescinded Circular No. A-73 on May 22, 1995.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 22, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sandra Haberlin, Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council, PDUSD (AT&L) DP (DAR), IMD 3D139, 3062 
Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telephone (703) 602-0289; 
telefax (703) 602-0350. Please cite DFARS Case 2000-D007.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    On March 7, 1995, OMB published a notice of proposed rescission of 
OMB Circular No. A-73, Audit of Federal Operations and Programs (60 FR 
12581). The circular contained audit practices and extended the 
application of certain principles of the Inspector General Act of 1978 
(Public Law 100-504) (IG Act) to Federal agencies not covered by the IG 
Act. The March 7, 1995 notice stated that the circular was unnecessary. 
The audit practices in the circular had become common practices 
throughout the Federal Government, and the IG Act had been expanded in 
1988 to cover almost all Federal entities of significant size. The 
notice further stated that the rescission would take place on May 22, 
1995, unless OMB received comments that raised significant concerns 
regarding the proposed rescission. OMB rescinded the circular on May 
22, 1995.
    Therefore, this final rule revises the clause at DFARS 252.237-
7001, Compliance with Audit Standards, to remove the requirement for 
contractors performing audit services to comply with OMB Circular No. 
A-73.
    This rule was not subject to OMB review under Executive Order 
12866, dated September 30, 1993.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This final 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, DoD will consider comments 
from small entities concerning the affected DFARS subpart in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should cite DFARS Case 2000-D007.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the 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 Part 252

    Government procurement.

Michele P. Peterson,
Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.


    Therefore, 48 CFR Part 252 is amended as follows:
    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Part 252 continues to read as 
follows:

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

PART 252--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

    2. Section 252.237-7001 is revised to read as follows:


252.237-7001  Compliance with audit standards.

    As prescribed in 237.270(d)(2), use the following clause:

Compliance With Audit Standards (May 2000)

    The Contractor, in performance of all audit services under this 
contract, shall comply with ``Government Auditing Standards'' issued by 
the Comptroller General of the United States.


(End of clause)

[FR Doc. 00-12419 Filed 5-19-00; 8:45 am]
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