[Federal Register: January 15, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 10)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 2415-2416]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15ja09-33]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Acquisition Regulations System

48 CFR Part 212

RIN 0750-AG17


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Pilot Program
for Transition to Follow-On Contracting After Use of Other Transaction
Authority (DFARS Case 2008-D030)

AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense
(DoD).

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: DoD has issued an interim rule amending the Defense Federal
Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 824 of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Section
824 amended the DoD pilot program for transition to follow-on
contracting after use of other transaction authority, to establish a
new program expiration date and to include items developed under
research projects within the scope of the program.

DATES: Effective date: January 15, 2009.
    Comment date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted in
writing to the address shown below on or before March 16, 2009, to be
considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by DFARS Case 2008-D030,
using any of the following methods:
    [cir] Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    [cir] E-mail: dfars@osd.mil. Include DFARS Case 2008-D030 in the
subject line of the message.
    [cir] Fax: 703-602-7887.
    [cir] Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Angie
Sawyer, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DARS), IMD 3D139, 3062 Defense Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20301-3062.
    [cir] Hand Delivery/Courier: Defense Acquisition Regulations
System, Crystal Square 4, Suite 200A, 241 18th Street, Arlington, VA
22202-3402.
    Comments received generally will be posted without change to http:/
/www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Angie Sawyer, 703-602-8384.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    This interim rule amends the DoD pilot program addressed in DFARS
Subpart 212.70, Pilot Program for Transition to Follow-On Contracting
After Use of Other Transaction Authority. The pilot program implements
Section 845(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 1994 (10 U.S.C. 2371 note), and provides that certain items that
do not otherwise meet the definition of ``commercial item'' may be
treated as commercial items in the award of contracts and subcontracts
that follow an other transaction agreement. Section 824 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Pub. L. 110-417)
amended the authority for the pilot program to establish a new program
expiration date of September 30, 2010, and to add items developed under
research projects in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2371 to the types of
items to which the program applies.
    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 does not expect this rule to 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. Although the rule is
expected to ease the transition of nontraditional defense contractors
from the use of other transaction agreements to standard contracts, the
economic impact is not expected to be substantial. Therefore, DoD has
not performed an initial regulatory flexibility analysis. DoD invites
comments from small businesses and other interested parties. DoD also
will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected
DFARS subpart in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be
submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case 2008-D030.

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.

[[Page 2416]]

D. Determination to Issue an Interim Rule

    A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary
of Defense that urgent and compelling reasons exist to publish an
interim rule prior to affording the public an opportunity to comment.
This interim rule implements Section 824 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Pub. L. 110-417). Section 824
amended the DoD pilot program that permits the use of streamlined
procedures in the award of contracts and subcontracts that follow other
transaction agreements, to include items developed under research
projects within the scope of the program. The pilot program is intended
to ease the transition of nontraditional defense contractors from the
use of other transaction agreements to standard contracts. Comments
received in response to this interim rule will be considered in the
formation of the final rule.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 212

    Government procurement.

Michele P. Peterson,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

0
Therefore, 48 CFR part 212 is amended as follows:

PART 212--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS

0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 212 continues to read as
follows:

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


0
2. Section 212.7002-1 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(2) and (4)
to read as follows:


212.7002-1  Contracts under the program.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Is a follow-on contract for the production of an item or
process begun as a prototype project under an other transaction
agreement or as a research project carried out in accordance with 10
U.S.C. 2371;
* * * * *
    (4) Is awarded on or before September 30, 2010; and
* * * * *

0
3. Section 212.7002-2 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1) and (3)
to read as follows:


212.7002-2  Subcontracts under the program.

    (a) * * *
    (1) Is for the production of an item or process begun as a
prototype project under an other transaction agreement or as a research
project carried out in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2371;
* * * * *
    (3) Is awarded on or before September 30, 2010;
* * * * *
 [FR Doc. E9-667 Filed 1-14-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 5001-08-P