Federal Register, Volume 78 Issue 105 (Friday, May 31, 2013)

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 105 (Friday, May 31, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32697-32698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12942]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Delegation of Authority No. 357]


Delegation to the Assistant Secretary for Administration of 
Procurement Functions and Authorities

    By virtue of the authority vested in the Secretary of State by 22 
U.S.C. 2651a and 41 U.S.C. 1702, and delegated to me by Delegation of 
Authority 198, dated September 16, 1992, I hereby delegate to the 
Assistant Secretary of State for Administration, all duties, 
responsibilities and powers of the Secretary with respect to Department 
procurement; and authority to act as head of the agency with respect to 
procurement.

I. Scope

    1. In carrying out these functions, the Assistant Secretary for 
Administration shall:
    a. Prescribe and publish the Department of State Acquisition 
Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 6) and other directives pertaining to 
procurement including, but not limited to, those incorporated in 48 CFR 
Chapter 6.
    b. To the extent permitted by law, make all determinations and 
findings required by statute or regulation to be made by the Head of 
the Agency.
    2. The authority delegated herein shall be exercised in accordance 
with the applicable limitations and requirements of the Federal 
Property and Administrative Services Act, as amended; the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1); the applicable portions of 
the Federal Property Management Regulations (41 CFR Chapter 101); as 
well as other relevant statutes and regulations.
    3. The Assistant Secretary for Administration is authorized to re-
delegate (and authorize the subsequent re-delegation of) any of the 
authorities delegated herein, to the extent authorized by law, to any 
qualified employee of the Department of State.
    4. The Assistant Secretary for Administration shall serve as Chief 
Acquisition Officer (CAO), and shall carry out the duties enumerated in 
41 U.S.C. 1702, including the following duties:
    a. Advise and assist the Secretary and other Department officials 
to ensure that the mission of the Department is achieved through the 
management of the Department's acquisition activities.
    b. Responsible for monitoring the performance of acquisition 
activities and acquisition programs of the Department, evaluating the 
performance of those programs on the basis of applicable performance 
measurements, and advising the Secretary, Deputy Secretaries, and Under 
Secretary for Management regarding the appropriate business strategy to 
achieve the mission of the Department.
    c. Increase the use of full and open competition in the acquisition 
of property and services by the Department by establishing policies, 
procedures, and practices that ensure that the Department receives a 
sufficient number of sealed bids or competitive offers from responsible 
sources to fulfill the Department's requirements (including performance 
and delivery schedules) at the lowest cost or best value considering 
the nature of the property or service procured.
    d. Increase the appropriate use of performance-based contracting 
and performance specifications.
    e. Make acquisition decisions consistent with all applicable laws 
and establish clear lines of authority, accountability, and 
responsibility for acquisition decision making within the Department.
    f. Manage the direction of acquisition policy for the Department, 
including implementation of the unique acquisition policies, 
regulations, and standards of the Department.
    g. Develop and maintain an acquisition career management program in 
the Department to ensure that there is an adequate professional 
workforce.
    h. Advise the Department on the applicability of relevant policy on 
the contracts of the agency for overseas contingency operations and 
ensure the

[[Page 32698]]

compliance of the contracts and contracting activities of the 
Department with such policy.
    5. As part of the strategic planning and performance evaluation 
process required by 5 U.S.C. 306 and 31 U.S.C. 1105(a)(28), 1115, 1116, 
and 9703 (Managerial Accountability and Flexibility), the CAO will:
    a. Assess the requirements established for agency personnel 
regarding knowledge and skill in acquisition resources management and 
the adequacy of those requirements for facilitating the achievement of 
the performance goals established for acquisition management;
    b. Develop strategies and specific plans for hiring, training, and 
professional development to rectify a deficiency in meeting those 
requirements; and
    c. Report to the Secretary on the progress made in improving 
acquisition management capability.

II. Technical

    1. This delegation of authority supersedes Department of State 
Delegation No. 120-4, dated July 26, 1994; No. 120-5, dated November 
23, 1994; and No. 120-6, dated February 21, 2004.
    2. This document will be published in the Federal Register.

    Dated: April 30, 2013.
Patrick F. Kennedy,
Under Secretary for Management.
[FR Doc. 2013-12942 Filed 5-30-13; 8:45 am]
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